ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) belong to the Picornaviridae family with high similarity to human enteroviruses (HEVs). Limited data is available from Latin America regarding the clinical presentation and strains of these viruses in respiratory disease. METHODS: We collected nasopharyngeal swabs at clinics located in eight Latin American countries from 3,375 subjects aged 25 years or younger who presented with influenza-like illness. RESULTS: Our subjects had a median age of 3 years and a 1.2:1.0 male:female ratio. HRV was identified in 16% and HEV was identified in 3%. HRVs accounted for a higher frequency of isolates in those of younger age, in particular children < 1 years old. HRV-C accounted for 38% of all HRVs detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high proportion of recombinant strains between HRV-A/HRV-C and between HEV-A/HEV-B. In addition, both EV-D68 and EV-A71 were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In Latin America as in other regions, HRVs and HEVs account for a substantial proportion of respiratory viruses identified in young people with ILI, a finding that provides additional support for the development of pharmaceuticals and vaccines targeting these pathogens.
Subject(s)
Enterovirus/isolation & purification , Picornaviridae Infections/epidemiology , Picornaviridae Infections/virology , Rhinovirus/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Enterovirus/classification , Enterovirus/genetics , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Latin America/epidemiology , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Nasopharynx/virology , Prevalence , RNA, Viral/genetics , Rhinovirus/classification , Rhinovirus/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Globally, respiratory infections are the primary cause of illness in developing countries, specifically among children; however, an etiological agent for many of these illnesses is rarely identified. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to estimate the frequency of human bocavirus (HBoV) infection among pediatric populations in Argentina, Nicaragua and Peru. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using stored samples of an influenza-like illness surveillance program. Irrespective of previous diagnosis, nasopharyngeal or nasal swab specimens were randomly selected and tested using real-time PCR from three sites during 2007 from patients younger than 6 years old. RESULTS: A total of 568 specimens from Argentina (185), Nicaragua (192) and Peru (191) were tested. The prevalence of HBoV was 10·8% (95% CI: 6·3; 15·3) in Argentina, 33·3% in Nicaragua (95% CI: 26·6; 40·1) and 25·1% in Peru (95% CI: 18·9; 31·3). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate circulation of HBoV in Argentina, Nicaragua and Peru among children with influenza-like symptoms enrolled in a sentinel surveillance program.
Subject(s)
Human bocavirus/isolation & purification , Parvoviridae Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Argentina/epidemiology , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Human bocavirus/genetics , Human bocavirus/physiology , Humans , Infant , Male , Nicaragua/epidemiology , Parvoviridae Infections/virology , Peru/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Respiratory Tract Infections/virologyABSTRACT
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children. HRSV strains vary genetically and antigenically and have been classified into two broad subgroups, A and B (HRSV-A and HRSV-B, respectively). To date, little is known about the circulating strains of HRSV in Latin America. We have evaluated the genetic diversity of 96 HRSV strains by sequencing a variable region of the G protein gene of isolates collected from 2007 to 2009 in Central and South America. Our results show the presence of the two antigenic subgroups of HRSV during this period with the majority belonging to the genotype HRSV-A2.
Subject(s)
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Animals , Base Sequence , Cell Line , Central America , DNA Primers , Humans , Phylogeny , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/chemistry , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , South AmericaABSTRACT
Since the first detection of swine origin virus (SOIV) on March 28, 2009, the virus has spread worldwide and oseltamivir-resistant strains have already been identified in the past months. Here, we show the phylogenetic analysis of 63 SOIV isolates from eight countries in Central and South America, and their sensitivity to oseltamivir.
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics , Animals , Central America , Humans , South America , SwineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent influenza antiviral resistance studies reveal an alarming increase in both adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) resistant viral strains worldwide, particularly in Asia, Europe and the United States. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we have evaluated influenza virus resistance in Central and South America. METHODS: Influenza viruses, isolated from symptomatic patients throughout Central and South America in 2005-2008 were analyzed for inhibitor resistance. The M2 and NA genes of influenza viruses were sequenced and resistance was inferred by comparison with published sequences and known resistant mutations. RESULTS: Our results indicate that: (i) resistance to adamantanes was seen in the majority (95.5%) of the influenza A/H3N2 isolates but only in one isolate of the influenza A/H1N1 viruses; (ii) resistance to NAIs began to be detected in A/H1N1 isolates from Central America in 2008; and (iii) none of the influenza B viruses analyzed were resistant to NAIs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a limited effectiveness of influenza inhibitors due to the detection of resistance among A/H1 and A/H3 viruses.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Viral , Influenza, Human/virology , Neuraminidase/genetics , Orthomyxoviridae/drug effects , Viral Matrix Proteins/genetics , Adamantane/pharmacology , Adamantane/therapeutic use , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Cell Line , Central America , Dogs , Female , Humans , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/classification , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/classification , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/drug therapy , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Neuraminidase/antagonists & inhibitors , Neuraminidase/chemistry , Orthomyxoviridae/classification , Orthomyxoviridae/genetics , Orthomyxoviridae/isolation & purification , Oseltamivir/pharmacology , Oseltamivir/therapeutic use , Sequence Alignment , South America , Viral Matrix Proteins/chemistryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human Adenoviruses are recognized pathogens, causing a broad spectrum of diseases. Serotype identification is critical for epidemiological surveillance, detection of new strains and understanding of HAdvs pathogenesis. Little data is available about HAdvs subtypes in Latin America. METHODS: In this study, we have molecularly characterized 213 adenoviruses collected from ILI presenting patients, during 2006-08, in Central and South America. RESULTS: Our results indicate that 161(76%) adenoviruses belong to subgroup C, 45 (21%) to subgroup B and 7 (3%) to subtype E4.