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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Cotton rats and house sparrows as hosts for North and South ...
Emerging infectious diseases2010; 16(9); 1373-1380; doi: 10.3201/eid1609.100459

Cotton rats and house sparrows as hosts for North and South American strains of eastern equine encephalitis virus.

Abstract: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV; family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) is an arbovirus that causes severe disease in humans in North America and in equids throughout the Americas. The enzootic transmission cycle of EEEV in North America involves passerine birds and the ornithophilic mosquito vector, Culiseta melanura, in freshwater swamp habitats. However, the ecology of EEEV in South America is not well understood. Culex (Melanoconion) spp. mosquitoes are considered the principal vectors in Central and South America; however, a primary vertebrate host for EEEV in South America has not yet been identified. Therefore, to further assess the reservoir host potential of wild rodents and wild birds, we compared the infection dynamics of North American and South American EEEV in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Our findings suggested that each species has the potential to serve as amplification hosts for North and South America EEEVs.
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Publication Date: 2010-08-26 PubMed ID: 20735920PubMed Central: PMC3294987DOI: 10.3201/eid1609.100459Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the dynamics of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection in cotton rats and house sparrows, and suggests both species could potentially serve as hosts for the virus in North and South America.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV)

  • EEEV is a severe disease causing virus present in humans in North America and in equine species throughout the Americas.
  • The virus, from the Togaviridae family and Alphavirus genus, is transmitted through an enzootic cycle involving passerine birds and Culiseta melanura mosquitos in freshwater swamp habitats in North America.
  • The understanding of EEEV’s ecology in South America remains limited.

EEEV Vectors in Central and South America

  • In Central and South America, Culex (Melanoconion) spp. mosquitoes are believed to be the primary vectors of EEEV.
  • However, a principal vertebrate host for EEEV in South America is yet to be identified.

Study on Cotton Rats and House Sparrows

  • To better understand the reservoir host potential, the researchers investigated infection dynamics of North American and South American EEEV in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus).
  • The study reveals that each species, cotton rats and house sparrows, could potentially serve as amplification hosts for the EEEV in North and South America.

Conclusion

  • This research greatly contributes to the understanding of potential EEEV reservoir hosts, providing valuable information which could aid in further research and implementation of control measures against the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Arrigo NC, Adams AP, Watts DM, Newman PC, Weaver SC. (2010). Cotton rats and house sparrows as hosts for North and South American strains of eastern equine encephalitis virus. Emerg Infect Dis, 16(9), 1373-1380. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1609.100459

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 9
Pages: 1373-1380

Researcher Affiliations

Arrigo, Nicole C
  • Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA. sweaver@utmb.edu
Adams, A Paige
    Watts, Douglas M
      Newman, Patrick C
        Weaver, Scott C

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Viral / blood
          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology
          • Disease Vectors
          • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / classification
          • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
          • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
          • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / transmission
          • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / veterinary
          • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / virology
          • Horse Diseases / transmission
          • Horse Diseases / virology
          • Horses
          • North America
          • Sigmodontinae / virology
          • South America
          • Sparrows / virology
          • Species Specificity

          Grant Funding

          • T32 AI060549 / NIAID NIH HHS
          • U54 AI057156 / NIAID NIH HHS
          • U54 AI-057156 / NIAID NIH HHS
          • T32 AI-060549 / NIAID NIH HHS

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