Alphaviruses: Serological Evidence of Human Infection in Paraguay (2012-2013).
Abstract: Alphaviruses can produce febrile illness and encephalitis in dead-end hosts such as horses and humans. Within this genus, the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) complex includes pathogenic epizootic subtypes and enzootic subtypes that are not pathogenic in horses (except subtype IE, Mexican strains), although they can cause febrile symptoms in humans. The Rio Negro virus (RNV-VEEV subtype VI) circulates in Argentina, where it was associated with undifferentiated febrile illness. Mayaro (MAYV) and Una (UNAV) viruses belong to a different group, the Semliki Forest virus complex, with confirmed circulation. The present study aimed to determine RNV, MAYV, and UNAV seroprevalences by plaque reduction neutralization test in 652 samples of Paraguayan individuals mainly from the Central Department, between years 2012 and 2013. Samples with antibodies titer >1:20 against RNV were also tested for Mosso das Pedras-subtype IF, subtype IAB, and Pixuna (PIXV)-subtype IV viruses that belongs to VEEV antigenic complex. The overall seroprevalence of RNV was 3.83%, and for UNAV it was 0.46%, and no neutralizing antibodies were detected against MAYV in the studied population. Two of the twenty-seven heterotypic samples were positive for PIXV. The 50.1% of neutralizing antibody titers against RNV were high (equal to or greater than 1/640), suggesting recent infections. The effect of age on the prevalence of RNV was negligible. These results bring new information about neglected alphaviruses in South America, and these data will serve as the basis for future studies of seroprevalence of other VEEV, and studies to search potential hosts and vectors of these viruses in the region.
Publication Date: 2018-03-13 PubMed ID: 29652644DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2178Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the prevalence of Alphaviruses, particularly the Rio Negro virus (RNV), Mayaro (MAYV), and Una (UNAV), in humans in Paraguay between the years 2012-2013. The findings reveal modest rates of RNV and UNAV occurrence, but no evidence of MAYV, pointing to the need for further research on these overlooked viruses in South America.
Research Objectives
- This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of RNV, MAYV, and UNAV in the Paraguayan population, primarily in the Central Department. It analyzed 652 samples using the plaque reduction neutralization test.
- Additionally, samples positive for RNV underwent tests for Mosso das Pedras-subtype IF, subtype IAB, and Pixuna (PIXV)-subtype IV viruses, all part of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) antigenic complex.
Main Findings
- The overall prevalence of RNV was at a rate of 3.83%. On the other hand, the rate for UNAV was found to be 0.46%.
- Interestingly, the research did not find any neutralizing antibodies against the MAYV virus.
- Among the 27 heterotypic samples that were analyzed for Mosso das Pedras-subtype IF, subtype IAB, and Pixuna (PIXV)-subtype IV viruses, two were shown to be positive for PIXV.
- The study also indicated that a large percentage (50.1%) of the neutralizing antibody titers against RNV were high (equal or greater than 1/640), implying recent infections.
Implications and Future Directions
- The results highlight the presence and circulation of certain Alphaviruses, specifically RNV and UNAV, among humans in Paraguay — a subject that previously had been relatively overlooked in this region.
- The findings underline the importance of further research on the seroprevalence of other VEEV in the region and the identification of potential hosts and vectors carrying these viruses.
- The age factor on the prevalence of RNV was found to be negligible in this study, though this is something future research could examine in more detail.
Cite This Article
APA
(2018).
Alphaviruses: Serological Evidence of Human Infection in Paraguay (2012-2013).
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 18(5), 266-272.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2017.2178 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alphavirus / genetics
- Alphavirus / immunology
- Alphavirus / isolation & purification
- Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
- Alphavirus Infections / virology
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / genetics
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / isolation & purification
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Paraguay / epidemiology
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Celone M, Potter AM, Han BA, Beeman SP, Okech B, Forshey B, Dunford J, Rutherford G, Mita-Mendoza NK, Estallo EL, Khouri R, de Siqueira IC, Petersen K, Maves RC, Anyamba A, Pollett S. A geopositioned and evidence-graded pan-species compendium of Mayaro virus occurrence.. Sci Data 2023 Jul 14;10(1):460.
- Moreira Marrero L, Botto Nuñez G, Frabasile S, Delfraro A. Alphavirus Identification in Neotropical Bats.. Viruses 2022 Jan 28;14(2).
- León B, Jiménez-Sánchez C, Retamosa-Izaguirre M. An Environmental Niche Model to Estimate the Potential Presence of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus in Costa Rica.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Dec 30;18(1).
- Carrera JP, Cucunubá ZM, Neira K, Lambert B, Pittí Y, Liscano J, Garzón JL, Beltran D, Collado-Mariscal L, Saenz L, Sosa N, Rodriguez-Guzman LD, González P, Lescano AG, Pereyra-Elías R, Valderrama A, Weaver SC, Vittor AY, Armién B, Pascale JM, Donnelly CA. Endemic and Epidemic Human Alphavirus Infections in Eastern Panama: An Analysis of Population-Based Cross-Sectional Surveys.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Dec;103(6):2429-2437.
- Azar SR, Campos RK, Bergren NA, Camargos VN, Rossi SL. Epidemic Alphaviruses: Ecology, Emergence and Outbreaks.. Microorganisms 2020 Aug 1;8(8).
- Schultz EM, Jones TJ, Barr KL. Antibodies for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Protect Embryoid Bodies from Chikungunya Virus.. Viruses 2020 Feb 27;12(3).
- Pérez JG, Carrera JP, Serrano E, Pittí Y, Maguiña JL, Mentaberre G, Lescano AG, Valderrama A, Mayor P. Serologic Evidence of Zoonotic Alphaviruses in Humans from an Indigenous Community in the Peruvian Amazon.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Dec;101(6):1212-1218.
- Llamas-González YY, Campos D, Pascale JM, Arbiza J, González-Santamaría J. A Functional Ubiquitin-Proteasome System is Required for Efficient Replication of New World Mayaro and Una Alphaviruses.. Viruses 2019 Apr 23;11(4).
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