The first isolations of eastern encephalitis, group C, and Guama group arboviruses from the Peruvian Amazon region of western South America.
Abstract: Two strains of eastern encephalitis (EE) virus were isolated in the Amazon region of Peru near Pucallpa, Loreto Department, using sentinel hamsters. EE virus antibodies were found in healthy horses at both Pucallpa and Iquitos in the same Department. Fourteen group C and four Guama group arboviruses were recovered from sentenel hamsters and mosquitoes near Iquitos. The group C agents were Caraparu-Ossa, Marituba, and Oriboca-Itaqui viruses, and the Guama group agents were Bimiti virus. Besides providing a detailed account of these investigations, this article includes a current list of known arboviruses of the American tropics that can be detected with sentinel hamsters.
Publication Date: 1975-01-01 PubMed ID: 238693
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper discusses the isolation of eastern encephalitis, group C, and Guama group arboviruses for the first time in the Amazon region of Peru, using sentinel hamsters. The researchers examined the prevalence of these viruses among local horses and mosquitoes, and also provided an updated list of detectable arboviruses in the American tropics with sentinel hamsters.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted their study in the Amazon region of Peru, focusing particularly on Pucallpa and Iquitos in the Loreto Department.
- They used sentinel hamsters, animals that are purposely exposed to a disease in order to study the disease’s effects, to isolate two strains of the eastern encephalitis (EE) virus in this region.
- Additionally, they tested local horses in these areas for the presence of EE virus antibodies, indicating previous exposure to the virus.
Findings
- EE virus antibodies were found in healthy horses in Pucallpa and Iquitos, suggesting potential disease exposure in animals in this region.
- Other viruses were also identified: 14 strains of the group C virus were isolated alongside four Guama group arboviruses using sentinel hamsters and mosquitoes near Iquitos.
- The group C agents isolated included Caraparu-Ossa, Marituba, and Oriboca-Itaqui viruses, while the Guama group agents consisted of Bimiti virus.
Significance
- These findings mark the first isolation of EE, group C, and Guama group arboviruses in the western South American region.
- Identifying these viruses could pave the way for further research into disease distribution, effects, and potential treatments or preventive measures.
- By extending the knowledge of the types of arboviruses present in the American tropics, and demonstrating that they can be detected using sentinel hamsters, this research could help improve public and animal health strategies in these regions.
Conclusion
- The researchers also included an updated list of arboviruses from the American tropics that can be detected using sentinel hamsters.
- This comprehensive list would serve as a foundation for future studies and surveillance efforts to understand and control the spread of arboviral diseases in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Scherer WF, Madalengoitia J, Flores W, Acosta M.
(1975).
The first isolations of eastern encephalitis, group C, and Guama group arboviruses from the Peruvian Amazon region of western South America.
Bull Pan Am Health Organ, 9(1), 19-26.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies / analysis
- Arboviruses / isolation & purification
- Complement Fixation Tests
- Cricetinae
- Culicidae
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
- Encephalitis Viruses / isolation & purification
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / microbiology
- Female
- Guinea Pigs
- Horses
- Mice
- Neutralization Tests
- Orthobunyavirus / isolation & purification
- Peru
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Watts DM, Russell KL, Wooster MT, Sharp TW, Morrison AC, Kochel TJ, Bautista CT, Block K, Guevara C, Aguilar P, Palermo PM, Calampa C, Porter KR, Hayes CG, Weaver SC, de Rosa AT, Vinetz JM, Shope RE, Gotuzzo E, Guzman H, Tesh RB. Etiologies of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses in and near Iquitos from 1993 to 1999 in the Amazon River Basin of Peru. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022 Nov 14;107(5):1114-1128.
- Celone M, Okech B, Han BA, Forshey BM, Anyamba A, Dunford J, Rutherford G, Mita-Mendoza NK, Estallo EL, Khouri R, de Siqueira IC, Pollett S. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the potential non-human animal reservoirs and arthropod vectors of the Mayaro virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Dec;15(12):e0010016.
- Castillo Oré RM, Caceda RE, Huaman AA, Williams M, Hang J, Juarez DE, Kochel TJ, Halsey ES, Forshey BM. Molecular and antigenic characterization of group C orthobunyaviruses isolated in Peru. PLoS One 2018;13(7):e0200576.
- Nunes MRT, de Souza WM, Acrani GO, Cardoso JF, da Silva SP, Badra SJ, Figueiredo LTM, Vasconcelos PFDC. Revalidation and genetic characterization of new members of Group C (Orthobunyavirus genus, Peribunyaviridae family) isolated in the Americas. PLoS One 2018;13(5):e0197294.
- Aguilar PV, Adams AP, Suárez V, Beingolea L, Vargas J, Manock S, Freire J, Espinoza WR, Felices V, Diaz A, Liang X, Roca Y, Weaver SC, Kochel TJ. Genetic characterization of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru: identification of a new subtype ID lineage. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009 Sep 15;3(9):e514.
- Aguilar PV, Greene IP, Coffey LL, Medina G, Moncayo AC, Anishchenko M, Ludwig GV, Turell MJ, O'Guinn ML, Lee J, Tesh RB, Watts DM, Russell KL, Hice C, Yanoviak S, Morrison AC, Klein TA, Dohm DJ, Guzman H, Travassos da Rosa AP, Guevara C, Kochel T, Olson J, Cabezas C, Weaver SC. Endemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in northern Peru. Emerg Infect Dis 2004 May;10(5):880-8.
- Dye-Braumuller KC, Prisco RA, Nolan MS. (Re)Emerging Arboviruses of Public Health Significance in the Brazilian Amazon. Microorganisms 2025 Mar 12;13(3).
- Steck MR, Buenemann M, Vasilakis N. Bussuquara Virus: A Neglected Orthoflavivirus with Broad Distribution Across Central and South America and the Caribbean. Viruses 2025 Jan 27;17(2).
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