RESUMEN
We conducted a development and standardization of an IgG ELISA assay for serological detection of human orthohantavirus infections using the recombinant antigen rLECH13 produced in bacterial and derived from the LECHV. The evaluation and standardization were carried out by analyzing serum samples from a total of 50 patients with confirmed Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) diagnosis through the reference technique, 50 negative sera, and 53 patients with other medical conditions. The data from the assay analysis showed a diagnostic sensitivity value of 95% and a diagnostic specificity of 80%. The high sensitivity of this novel assay leads us to conclude that rLECH13 is a feasible option for use in the immunodiagnostic of orthohantavirus infection. Additionally, it is crucial to have an antigen that can be produced under conditions that do not require highly complex laboratories. Furthermore, the new assay is cost-effective, reproducible, and demonstrates excellent performance.
RESUMEN
Resumen Desde la identificación del virus Junin en la década del 50, se realizaron numerosos estudios en roedores silvestres dentro del área endémica de la Fiebre Hemorrágica Argentina (FHA) que per mitieron registrar, además, actividad del virus de la coriomeningitis linfocitaria (LCMV) y del virus Latino (LATV). La ausencia de casos confirmados de FHA desde la década del 90 en el departamento Río Cuarto, provincia de Córdoba, promovió la vigilancia ecoepidemiológica y de infección del Calomys musculinus (reservorio del virus Junin) y la búsqueda de reservorios e infección de los otros mammarenavirus. Durante dos años de muestreo estacional, con un sistema de captura, marcación y liberación capturamos 857 roedores, que correspondieron 57.3% a los reservorios: C. musculinus (especie más abundante), C. venustus y Mus musculus. Detectamos anticuerpos y caracterizamos molecularmente los tres agentes virales. Observamos una prevalencia de infección de 3.5% (9/254) para virus Junin, 100% (3/3) para LCMV y 24.1% (21/87) para LATV. En conclusión, demostra mos circulación de virus Junin en su roedor reservorio, en una región considerada histórica para FHA con riesgo potencial para la población y cocirculación espacio-temporal de los tres mammarenavirus en la región central de Argentina.
Abstract Since the identification of Junin virus in the 1950s, many studies were carried out in wild rodents within the endemic area of the Argentine Hemorrhagic Fe ver (AHF) that recorded also the activity of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and the Latino virus (LATV). The absence of confirmed cases of AHF since the 1990s in the department of Rio Cuarto, Córdoba province, promoted ecoepidemiological surveillance of infection of Calomys musculinus (Junin virus reservoir) and the search of reservoirs of the other mammarenaviruses. During two years of seasonal sampling, with a capture, mark and release system, 857 rodents were captured, corresponding 57.3% to the rodent reservoirs: C. musculinus, C. venustus and Mus musculus, being the first the most abundant species. Antibodies were detected and the three viral agents were molecularly characterized, showing a prevalence of infection of 3.5% (9/254) for Junin virus, 100% (3/3) for LCMV and 24.1% (21/87) for LATV. In conclusion, we demonstrated Junin virus circulation in its rodent reservoir in a region considered historic for AHF with potential risk for the population and the spatio-temporal co-circulation of the three mammarenaviruses in the central region of Argentina.
RESUMEN
Since the identification of Junin virus in the 1950s, many studies were carried out in wild rodents within the endemic area of the Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever (AHF) that recorded also the activity of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and the Latino virus (LATV). The absence of confirmed cases of AHF since the 1990s in the department of Rio Cuarto, Córdoba province, promoted ecoepidemiological surveillance of infection of Calomys musculinus (Junin virus reservoir) and the search of reservoirs of the other mammarenaviruses. During two years of seasonal sampling, with a capture, mark and release system, 857 rodents were captured, corresponding 57.3% to the rodent reservoirs: C. musculinus, C. venustus and Mus musculus, being the first the most abundant species. Antibodies were detected and the three viral agents were molecularly characterized, showing a prevalence of infection of 3.5% (9/254) for Junin virus, 100% (3/3) for LCMV and 24.1% (21/87) for LATV. In conclusion, we demonstrated Junin virus circulation in its rodent reservoir in a region considered historic for AHF with potential risk for the population and the spatio-temporal co-circulation of the three mammarenaviruses in the central region of Argentina.
Desde la identificación del virus Junin en la década del 50, se realizaron numerosos estudios en roedores silvestres dentro del área endémica de la Fiebre Hemorrágica Argentina (FHA) que permitieron registrar, además, actividad del virus de la coriomeningitis linfocitaria (LCMV) y del virus Latino (LATV). La ausencia de casos confirmados de FHA desde la década del 90 en el departamento Río Cuarto, provincia de Córdoba, promovió la vigilancia ecoepidemiológica y de infección del Calomys musculinus (reservorio del virus Junin) y la búsqueda de reservorios e infección de los otros mammarenavirus. Durante dos años de muestreo estacional, con un sistema de captura, marcación y liberación capturamos 857 roedores, que correspondieron 57.3% a los reservorios: C. musculinus (especie más abundante), C. venustus y Mus musculus. Detectamos anticuerpos y caracterizamos molecularmente los tres agentes virales. Observamos una prevalencia de infección de 3.5% (9/254) para virus Junin, 100% (3/3) para LCMV y 24.1% (21/87) para LATV. En conclusión, demostramos circulación de virus Junin en su roedor reservorio, en una región considerada histórica para FHA con riesgo potencial para la población y cocirculación espacio-temporal de los tres mammarenavirus en la región central de Argentina.
Asunto(s)
Arenaviridae , Arenavirus del Nuevo Mundo , Fiebre Hemorrágica Americana , Virus Junin , Animales , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Fiebre Hemorrágica Americana/epidemiología , Humanos , Ratones , RoedoresRESUMEN
Zika Virus (ZIKV) is an RNA virus that belongs to the Flavivirus (FV) genus. In the last years, several unique characteristics of ZIKV among FV have been revealed, as the multiple routes of transmission and its ability to reach different human tissues, including the central nervous system. Thus, one of the most intriguing features of ZIKV biology is its ability to cross diverse complex biological barriers. The main aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the still unclear mechanisms behind this viral activity. We investigated an African strain and two South American ZIKV isolates belonging to the Asian lineage, in order to characterize possible differences regarding their ability to disturb intercellular junctions. The Asian isolates correspond to an imported (Venezuelan) and an autochthonous (Argentinian) ZIKV strain for which there is still no data available. We focused on occludin and DLG1 expression as markers of tight and adherent junctions, respectively. For this, we applied a quantitative immunofluorescence assay that can ascertain alterations in the cell junction proteins expression in the infected cells. Our findings indicated that the different ZIKV strains were able to reduce the levels of both polarity proteins without altering their overall cell distribution. Moreover, the grade of this effect was strain-dependent, being the DLG1 reduction higher for the African and Asian Venezuelan isolates and, on the contrary, occludin down-regulation was more noticeable for the Argentinian strain. Interestingly, among both junction proteins the viral infection caused a relative larger reduction in DLG1 expression for all viruses, suggesting DLG1 may be of particular relevance for ZIKV infections. Taken together, this study contributes to the knowledge of the biological mechanisms involved in ZIKV cytopathogenesis, with a special focus on regional isolates.
Asunto(s)
Homólogo 1 de la Proteína Discs Large , Ocludina , Infección por el Virus Zika , Homólogo 1 de la Proteína Discs Large/genética , Humanos , Ocludina/genética , Virus ZikaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The Amazon tropical rainforest has the most dense and diverse ecosystem worldwide. A few studies have addressed rodent-borne diseases as potential hazards to humans in this region. METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting mammarenavirus and orthohantavirus antibodies in 206 samples collected from rural settlers of the Brazilian Western Amazonian region. RESULTS: Six (2.91%) individuals in the age group of 16 to 36 years were found to possess antibodies against mammarenavirus. CONCLUSION: Evidence of previous exposure to mammarenavirus in the rural population points to its silent circulation in this region.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Arenaviridae/inmunología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Hepatitis Viral Humana/epidemiología , Orthohepadnavirus/inmunología , Roedores/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Arenaviridae/clasificación , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/transmisión , Brasil/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Hepatitis Viral Humana/diagnóstico , Hepatitis Viral Humana/transmisión , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Orthohepadnavirus/clasificación , Estudios Retrospectivos , Roedores/clasificación , Población Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In Argentina, many Flavivirus were recognised including West Nile virus (WNV). During 2009 several strains of Culex Flavivirus (CxFV), an insect-specific flavivirus, were isolated in the same region where circulation of WNV was detected. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyse the effect of co-infection in vitro assays using CxFV and WNV Argentinean strains in order to evaluate if CxFV could affect WNV replication. Our results showed that WNV replication was suppressed when multiplicity of infection (MOI) for CxFV was 10 or 100 times higher than WNV. Nevertheless, in vivo assays are necessary in order to evaluate the superinfection exclusion potential.
Asunto(s)
Aedes/virología , Culex/virología , Flavivirus/fisiología , Insectos Vectores/virología , Sobreinfección/virología , Virus del Nilo Occidental/patogenicidad , Animales , Argentina , Línea Celular , Ensayo de Placa ViralRESUMEN
Histoplasmosis is a worldwide systemic endemic mycosis caused by several cryptic species included within the Histoplasma capsulatum complex. Domestic and wild mammals are susceptible to infection by this fungus and could be used as indicators of its presence in the environment. The aim of the study was to identify the natural reservoirs of H. capsulatum in the Argentinean Humid Pampas eco-region analyzing a wildlife frozen-tissue collection and trace its distribution patterns over time and space. Tissue samples from 34 small wild mammals caught in the Humid Pampas were analyzed using two molecular markers: 100 kDa protein coding gene (Hcp100) and ITS1 rDNA. Results showed that 32.4% of them were infected with H. capsulatum and its DNA was detected in 5/17 Calomys laucha; 3/6 Calomys musculinus; 1/5 Akodon azarae, 1/3 Monodelphis dimidiata; and 1/2 Didelphis albiventris. In the single specimen studied of Cavia aperea, no H. capsulatum DNA was detected. This is the first H. capsulatum infection report in C. laucha and C. musculinus rodents and M. dimidiate opossum which proves that tissue collections are an important source of material for epidemiological studies of endemic disease over time.
Asunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/microbiología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/microbiología , Histoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Histoplasmosis/epidemiología , Animales , Argentina/epidemiología , ADN de Hongos/genética , Enfermedades Endémicas , Estudios Epidemiológicos , Histoplasma/genética , Humanos , Bancos de Tejidos , Zoonosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Introduction: Steam sterilization has been used for decades to effectively kill microbial contaminants in a variety of medical and commercial settings. One of the most critical aspects of safe operations in biosafety level 3 biocontainment laboratories (BSL-3) is the effective inactivation of biological select agents in the waste generated in these environments. The Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas "Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui" (INEVH, Pergamino, Argentina) is an institute that offers epidemiological surveillance, production of biological reagents, and production of biologicals for human use and studies of reservoirs and vectors. Some of the activities need to be done in a BSL-3 that provides biocontainment, ensuring that the materials are decontaminated before they leave the facility. The objective of this study was to design and validate a decontamination procedure for biological waste from the BSL-3 facility that guarantees steam sterilization processes. Methods: The amount and the distribution of biological waste into the autoclave and other physical parameters were defined and evaluated by calculating lethalities. Results: We evaluated autoclave basic factory programmed cycles, and it was concluded that the sterilization autoclave cycle was not efficient for decontamination of waste. A new simulated load distribution had to be defined. Discussion: The results demonstrated that autoclave factory default settings can be inadequate for sterilizing highly infectious waste, depending of types of waste, such as animal carcass and animal bed waste. Conclusion: These results of the validation process can set the standard to the design of waste management protocols to ensure effective treatment of highly infectious biological waste.
RESUMEN
Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Amazon tropical rainforest has the most dense and diverse ecosystem worldwide. A few studies have addressed rodent-borne diseases as potential hazards to humans in this region. METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting mammarenavirus and orthohantavirus antibodies in 206 samples collected from rural settlers of the Brazilian Western Amazonian region. RESULTS: Six (2.91%) individuals in the age group of 16 to 36 years were found to possess antibodies against mammarenavirus. CONCLUSION: Evidence of previous exposure to mammarenavirus in the rural population points to its silent circulation in this region.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Masculino , Femenino , Lactante , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Adulto Joven , Arenaviridae/inmunología , Roedores/virología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Orthohepadnavirus/inmunología , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Hepatitis Viral Humana/epidemiología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Arenaviridae/clasificación , Roedores/clasificación , Población Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Brasil/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Orthohepadnavirus/clasificación , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/transmisión , Hepatitis Viral Humana/diagnóstico , Hepatitis Viral Humana/transmisión , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
In Argentina, many Flavivirus were recognised including West Nile virus (WNV). During 2009 several strains of Culex Flavivirus (CxFV), an insect-specific flavivirus, were isolated in the same region where circulation of WNV was detected. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyse the effect of co-infection in vitro assays using CxFV and WNV Argentinean strains in order to evaluate if CxFV could affect WNV replication. Our results showed that WNV replication was suppressed when multiplicity of infection (MOI) for CxFV was 10 or 100 times higher than WNV. Nevertheless, in vivo assays are necessary in order to evaluate the superinfection exclusion potential.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Virus del Nilo Occidental/patogenicidad , Sobreinfección/virología , Culex/virología , Flavivirus/fisiología , Insectos Vectores/virología , Argentina , Ensayo de Placa Viral , Línea Celular , Aedes/virologíaRESUMEN
During the Brazilian slavery period, many African migrants were brought to the American continent. Historically, some of these migrants escaped from the Brazilian gold mines and farms to which they had been brought and settled in remote valleys and this was the main mode of resistance to the slavery system. These runaway-slave descendant communities are called quilombos, a group with distinct ethnic identity, specific behavioral habits, including geographic isolation and conservative practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne viruses in two Afro-descendent communities from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Midwestern Brazil. A total of 319 individuals from rural and urban quilombola communities were enrolled. Twelve (3.76%) had anti-rodent-borne virus IgG antibodies. Seven (2.19%) were anti-mammarenavirus reactive and nine (2.82%) had anti-orthohantavirus antibodies. The literature includes limited data on the health status of quilombola communities, but all the studies emphasize the disparity of attention of local healthcare personnel to these communities compared to the general population. The findings of this study highlight the vulnerability and the precarious health conditions of quilombola groups, especially those living in rural areas and thus, point to the need of preventive measures to improve access to healthcare for this ethnic group.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Arenaviridae/inmunología , Infecciones por Hantavirus/epidemiología , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Orthohantavirus/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Población Negra , Brasil/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Infecciones por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Roedores/virología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The cricetid rodent Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is the species host of Andes virus (ANDV) which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in southern Argentina and Chile. Population density, behavioral interactions, and spacing patterns are factors that affect viral transmission among wild rodents. We predict that the highest prevalence of hantavirus antibody positive would be found among wounded, reproductive males and that, at high population densities, wounded, reproductive males would be dispersers rather than resident individuals. The study was conducted seasonally from October (spring) 2011 to October (spring) 2013 in a shrubland habitat of Cholila, Argentina. During each trapping session, we classified captured O. longicaudatus as resident or disperser individuals, estimated population density, and recorded wounds as an indicator of aggression among individuals. We obtained blood samples from each individual for serological testing. We used generalized linear models to test the statistical significance of association between antibody prevalence, and sex, resident/dispersal status, wounds and trapping session. The highest proportion of seropositive O. longicaudatus individuals was among wounded reproductive males during periods of the greatest population density, and the characteristics of seroconverted individuals support that transmission is horizontal through male intrasexual competition. A positive association between dispersing individuals and hantavirus antibody was detected at high population density. Our study design allowed us to obtain data on a large number of individuals that are seroconverted, enabling a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of the ANDV host system.
Asunto(s)
Animales Salvajes/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales Salvajes/virología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/virología , Ecosistema , Densidad de Población , Roedores/crecimiento & desarrollo , Roedores/virología , Animales , Chile , Infecciones por Hantavirus/epidemiología , Síndrome Pulmonar por Hantavirus/transmisiónRESUMEN
The importance of Zika virus (ZIKV) has increased noticeably since the outbreak in the Americas in 2015, when the illness was associated with congenital disorders. Although there is evidence of sexual transmission of the virus, the mosquito Aedes aegypti is believed to be the main vector for transmission to humans. This species of mosquito has not only been found naturally infected with ZIKV, but also has been the subject of study in many vector competence assays that employ different strains of ZIKV around the world. In Argentina, the first case was reported in February 2016 and a total of 278 autochthonous cases have since been confirmed, however, ZIKV virus has not been isolated from any mosquito species yet in Argentina. In order to elucidate if Argentinian Ae. aegypti populations could be a possible vector of ZIKV, we conducted vector competence studies that involved a local strain of ZIKV from Chaco province, and a Venezuelan strain obtained from an imported case. For this purpose, Ae. aegypti adults from the temperate area of Argentina (Buenos Aires province) were fed with infected blood. Body, legs and saliva were harvested and tested by plaque titration on plates of Vero cells for ZIKV at 7, 11 and 14 days post infection (DPI) in order to calculate infection, transmission, and dissemination rates, respectively. Both strains were able to infect mosquitoes at all DPIs, whereas dissemination and transmission were observed at all DPIs for the Argentinian strain but only at 14 DPI for the Venezuelan strain. This study proves the ability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from Argentina to become infected with two different strains of ZIKV, both belonging to the Asian lineage, and that the virus can disseminate to the legs and salivary glands.
Asunto(s)
Aedes/virología , Mosquitos Vectores/virología , Virus Zika/crecimiento & desarrollo , Estructuras Animales/virología , Animales , Argentina , Femenino , Saliva/virología , Carga ViralRESUMEN
To identify and predict situations of increased risk of orthohantavirus infection in humans, it is necessary to study the relationships between the virus and its rodent hosts. The present study investigated orthohantavirus infection in an assemblage of wild Sigmodontinae rodents of the Paraná Delta, Argentina, and providing new evidence of host-switching events. Rodents belonging to the species Oxymycterus rufus (n = 187), Akodon azarae (n = 82), Oligoryzomys flavescens (n = 80), Oligoryzomys nigripes (n = 47), Scapteromys aquaticus (n = 38), Deltamys kempi (n = 7) and Holochilus brasiliensis (n = 2) were captured at 4 sampling sites during 20 trapping sessions. Blood samples were analyzed by IgG ELISA and livers by a nested reverse transcription PCR for the diagnosis of orthohantavirus infection. The amplified products of the S and M orthohantavirus genomes were sequenced and analyzed to determine similarities with species of the Orthohantavirus genus. The species of the Oligoryzomys positive to the virus were confirmed by amplifying and sequencing the complete cyt b gene. Of the 443 serum samples analyzed by IgG ELISA, A. azarae presented the highest host-specific prevalence value (10/82, 12.2%) followed by Ol. nigripes (4/47, 8.5%) and Ox. rufus (1/187, 0.5%). All the sero-positive Ol. nigripes (n = 4) were positive to the amplification of the S and M segments of the Lechiguanas genotype (98% nucleotide identity for both segments). This is surprising given that Ol. nigripes has been previously associated with Juquitiba genotype, not Lechiguanas. The latter is generally associated with Ol. flavescens, which in our study were all sero-negative. In addition, the association Ox. rufus - Pergamino genotype found here is, to our knowledge, novel and another potential evidence of host-switching considering that Pergamino has been originally associated with A. azarae. These findings contribute to the building evidence that contradicts the one-genotype-one-reservoir species premise in the association between rodent reservoirs and orthohantaviruses, and supports the hypothesis that the community structure of sympatric host species may contribute to orthohantavirus dynamics.
Asunto(s)
Arvicolinae/genética , Arvicolinae/virología , Interacciones Microbiota-Huesped/genética , Virus ARN/genética , Animales , Genotipo , HumanosRESUMEN
Anthropogenic environmental changes arising from settlement and agriculture include deforestation and replacement of natural vegetation by crops providing opportunities for pathogen spillover from animals to humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne virus infections in seven rural settlements from Midwestern Brazil. Of the 466 individuals tested 12 (2.57%) were reactive for orthohantavirus and 3 (0.64%) for mammarenavirus. These rural settlers lived under unfavorable infrastructure, socioeconomic disadvantages, and unsanitary conditions, representing a risk for rodent-borne infections. Development of public policies towards the improvement of health, sanitation and awareness of rodent-borne diseases in improvised camps and settlements is imperative, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Masculino , Femenino , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Adulto Joven , Roedores/virología , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Hantavirus/epidemiología , Vectores de Enfermedades/clasificación , Roedores/clasificación , Población Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Brasil/epidemiología , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Prevalencia , Estudios Transversales , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/transmisión , Infecciones por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Hantavirus/transmisión , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangreAsunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/inmunología , Brasil/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Anthropogenic environmental changes arising from settlement and agriculture include deforestation and replacement of natural vegetation by crops providing opportunities for pathogen spillover from animals to humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne virus infections in seven rural settlements from Midwestern Brazil. Of the 466 individuals tested 12 (2.57%) were reactive for orthohantavirus and 3 (0.64%) for mammarenavirus. These rural settlers lived under unfavorable infrastructure, socioeconomic disadvantages, and unsanitary conditions, representing a risk for rodent-borne infections. Development of public policies towards the improvement of health, sanitation and awareness of rodent-borne diseases in improvised camps and settlements is imperative, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Vectores de Enfermedades/clasificación , Infecciones por Hantavirus/epidemiología , Roedores/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/transmisión , Brasil/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Infecciones por Hantavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Hantavirus/transmisión , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Roedores/clasificación , Población Rural , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenAsunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Lactante , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Adulto Joven , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/epidemiología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Brasil/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Arenaviridae/inmunología , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HPS) has gained importance in Latin America as an emerging disease, with reports of about 4000 HPS cases; however, this is probably an underestimate because of limited surveillance programs and diagnostic tools to confirm HPS. In order to address this issue and develop better serosurveillance capability, we evaluated three recombinant peptides from the Necoclí virus (NECV) nucleocapsid in antibody-capture ELISA. We cloned and expressed antigens representing the whole NECV nucleocapsid protein (NECV-rN), the immunodominant domain (NECV-rN100), and a serospecific domain (NECV-rN428), and then we compared these antigens in ELISA to detect IgG antibodies to NECV in human sera. We evaluated human sera collected during two epidemiological studies from the area where NECV was discovered. The first group included 609 sera from healthy individuals, and the second one included 89 samples from patients with undifferentiated febrile illness. In these two groups, hantavirus infection had previously been determined by the presence of IgG to Maciel virus (MCLV), a hantavirus closely related to NECV. The number of IgG-positive sera was higher using the Necoclí ELISA with the rN100 protein, which detected antibodies in a higher percentage of healthy individuals, 129/609 (21.2%), as well as in febrile patients, 11/89 (12.3%). In contrast, using MCLV ELISA, 8 of 609 (1.3%) and 4 of 89 (4.5%) samples from healthy and febrile patients, respectively, were seropositive. The agreement between the NECV and MCLV ELISA assays was ≥ 82.3%; however, the kappa indices were weak but statistically significant for rN (0.251 CI; 0.138-0.365) and rN100rN (0.153 CI; 0.084-0.223). The weak kappa indices were attributed to decreased MCLV ELISA assay sensitivity. These results suggest that NECV rN and rN100 have increased specificity and could be further validated for improved diagnosis of hantavirus infections.