Arbovirus investigations in Argentina, 1977-1980. IV. Serologic surveys and sentinel equine program.
Abstract: Serologic surveys of wild and domestic birds, wild mammals, and horses were conducted during arbovirus field studies in Argentina from 1977 through 1980, a non-epizootic interval. The prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was consistently higher than to western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus in all species and all areas. The presence of antibodies in short-lived avian species and in young unvaccinated horses and the demonstration of seroconversions in horses during the period, indicated that these viruses are either enzootic in, or annually reintroduced into, Argentina. Antibodies to AG80-646, a new subtype of WEE virus isolated in the subtropical north (Chaco Province) from Culex (Melanoconion) mosquitoes, were found in horses and rodents in that region. Antibodies to the TC-83 strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus were found in all areas studied. The presence of antibodies in some horses was probably related to vaccination, but the demonstration of seroconversions in sentinel horses and of antibodies in birds and wild mammals indicates active transmission of VEE virus. In 1980 a new enzootic subtype of VEE virus (AG80-663) was isolated from mosquitoes in Chaco; neutralizing antibodies to this virus were prevalent in horses and rodents in this area. Infections with Aura and Una viruses were most common in the subtropical northern provinces. Infection with St. Louis encephalitis was prevalent and widespread, and birds, principally passerine and columbiform species, appear to be the principal hosts. An interesting and unexplained finding was the absence of arbovirus antibodies, in particular SLE antibodies in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Antibody prevalences in horses exceeded 50% in all areas, and 12% of horses surveyed in Santa Fe Province developed antibody in a 17-month period. Antibodies to other flaviviruses were rare. A high prevalence of immunity to Maguari virus was found in horses; this agent is considered to be a potential equine pathogen. Antibodies to 2 new viruses, Barranqueras and Resistencia, which had been isolated from Cx. (Melanoconion) in Chaco Province, were found in rodents there. Immunity to Gamboa group viruses was prevalent, and birds were implicated as principal hosts.
Publication Date: 1985-09-01 PubMed ID: 2863991
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study focused on arbovirus investigations conducted in Argentina between 1977 – 1980. It found that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) viruses are either enzootic or routinely reintroduced in Argentina. The study also highlighted the high prevalence of certain arboviruses among horses, birds, and rodents, and the potential implications for disease transmission.
Methodology and Species Studied
- The study was composed of serologic surveys of diverse species in Argentina, including wild and domestic birds, horses, and wild mammals.
- The data for this research was collected between 1977 and 1980, a period identified as a non-epizootic interval, meaning when the diseases are not at their peak.
Key Findings
- The study found the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in all studied species and all areas was higher than to western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus.
- Antibodies to AG80-646, a new subtype of WEE virus, were also identified in horses and rodents in the subtropical north of Argentina, primarily in Chaco Province.
- An interesting discovery was the presence of antibodies to a subtype of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus, named TC-83, across all studied areas. Some of these antibodies in horses were likely due to vaccinations, but their presence in wild animals indicated active transmission of the VEE virus.
Disease Presence and Transmission
- Serologic evidence suggested that EEE and VEE viruses are either enzootic (meaning they persist in animal populations within a specific area) or repeatedly reintroduced into Argentina.
- Additionally, the publication highlights that infections with Aura and Una viruses were most common in the subtropical northern provinces of the country.
- An interesting and unexplained observation was the lack of arbovirus antibodies, specifically SLE antibodies, in house sparrows.
- The study emphasized that birds, especially passerine and columbiform species, are likely the primary hosts for St. Louis encephalitis, which was prevalently and widely found in all tested populations.
Other Observations
- Another unique finding of the study was the prevalence of immunity to Maguari virus in horses. This agent could potentially pose a risk as an equine pathogen, or a disease-causing organism in horses.
- The immunity to Gamboa group viruses was prevalent and birds were implicated as primary hosts.
- The researchers also identified antibodies for two new viruses, Barranqueras and Resistencia, in rodents within the Chaco Province.
- A large percentage of horses in all studied areas had been exposed to the viruses, with antibody prevalences exceeding 50%, and 12% of horses surveyed in Santa Fe Province developed antibody over a 17-month period. Antibodies to other flaviviruses were rarely documented.
Cite This Article
APA
Monath TP, Sabattini MS, Pauli R, Daffner JF, Mitchell CJ, Bowen GS, Cropp CB.
(1985).
Arbovirus investigations in Argentina, 1977-1980. IV. Serologic surveys and sentinel equine program.
Am J Trop Med Hyg, 34(5), 966-975.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Alphavirus / immunology
- Animals
- Animals, Wild / microbiology
- Antibodies, Viral / immunology
- Arbovirus Infections / immunology
- Arbovirus Infections / microbiology
- Arbovirus Infections / veterinary
- Arboviruses / immunology
- Arboviruses / physiology
- Argentina
- Birds / microbiology
- Bunyaviridae / immunology
- Culex / microbiology
- Culicidae / microbiology
- Encephalitis Virus, St. Louis / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine / immunology
- Encephalitis, St. Louis / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / veterinary
- Flavivirus / immunology
- Guinea Pigs / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Insect Vectors / microbiology
- Neutralization Tests
- Rodentia / microbiology
- Vaccination / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 21 times.- Mansilla AP, Grande JM, Diaz A. Effect of Agroecosystems on Seroprevalence of St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Viruses in Birds, La Pampa, Argentina, 2017-2019.. Emerg Infect Dis 2022 Jul;28(7):1393-1402.
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- Stechina OS, Oria GI, Torres C, Diaz LA, Contigiani M, Stein M. First Detection of Madariaga virus in Mosquitoes Collected in a Wild Environment of Northeastern Argentina.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Oct;101(4):916-918.
- Ramírez AL, van den Hurk AF, Meyer DB, Ritchie SA. Searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack: advances in mosquito-borne arbovirus surveillance.. Parasit Vectors 2018 May 29;11(1):320.
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