Epidemic strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus from a vampire bat captured in Oaxaca, Mexico, 1970.

A vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, captured in Oaxaca, Mexico, in August 1970, was found to be infected with the epidemic strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus at the same time that an equine epizootic was occurring there.

Transmission of HIV in Belle Glade, Florida: lessons for other communities in the United States.

The high cumulative incidence of AIDS and the large percentage of AIDS patients with no identified risks in Belle Glade, Florida, were evaluated through case interviews and neighborhood-based seroepidemiologic studies. It was found that of 93 AIDS patients reported between July 1982 and 1 August 1987, 34 could be directly linked to at least one other AIDS patient or to a person with AIDS-related complex by sexual contact, sharing of needles during intravenous drug abuse (or both), or perinatal exposure; of 877 randomly selected adults, 28 had antibodies to HIV; no person over age 60 and none of 138 children aged 2 to 10 years had antibodies to HIV; no clustering of infected persons within households occurred, except in sex partners; and HIV-seropositive adults were more likely than HIV-seronegative adults to be from Haiti, have a lower income, report sex with intravenous drug abusers, and have a history of previous treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. The presence of antibodies to five arboviruses prevalent in South Florida or the Caribbean did not correlate significantly with HIV infection. The high cumulative rate of AIDS in Belle Glade appears to be the result of HIV transmission through sexual contact and intravenous drug abuse; the evidence does not suggest transmission of HIV through insects.

Emergence and persistence of hantaviruses.

Hantaviral diseases have been recognized for hundreds of years but, until 1976, they had not been associated with an infectious agent. When Lee and colleagues isolated what is now known as Hantaan virus, the techniques they introduced allowed further investigations into the etiology of the classical hantavirus disease, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), now known to be caused by any of multiple hantaviruses. The discovery of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the New World, and that it also can be caused by any of multiple hantaviruses (family Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus), has opened an entire field of epidemiologic, virologic, molecular, behavioral, and ecologic studies of these viruses. There appears to be a single hantavirus-single rodent host association, such that understanding the idiosyncrasies of each rodent host species and the ecologic variables that affect them are recognized as critical if we are to reduce human risk for infection. This chapter summarizes what is known about hantaviruses with regard to history of these viruses, their taxonomy, recognized geographical distribution, ecologic factors impacting their maintenance and spread of hantaviruses, effect of rodent behavior on hantavirus transmission, influence of host factors on susceptibility to and transmission of hantaviruses, and transmission of hantaviruses from rodents to humans. In addition, we summarize all these complexities and provide suggestions for future research directions.

Bunyaviridae--natural history.

Obviously, the family Bunyaviridae is comprised of a large number of epidemiologically diverse viruses. They vary dramatically in their vector and vertebrate host relationships, geographic distributions, and epidemic potential in humans and animals. Public health practitioners, veterinarians, virologists, entomologists, biologists, ecologists, molecular biologists, and other scientists will all benefit from increased study and knowledge of this fascinating group of viruses.

Taxonomy of African horse sickness viruses.

Nine distinct genera are currently recognised within the virus family Reoviridae, which include a total of 63 virus groups or species (species = virus group = electropherotype or serogroup), comprising 214 virus serotypes or subtypes, as well as 20 provisional types or subtypes, most of which (149 + 9 tentative) are assigned to the genus Orbivirus [5, 9, 16]. The 19 species of orbiviruses (serogroups), were established principally on antigenic (serologic) grounds but many of these placements have been supported by molecular analyses. This introductory paper defines the taxonomy and classification of these viruses and establishes guidelines for use in other paper to be presented at this symposium and elsewhere.

Antigenic relationships of flaviviruses with undetermined arthropod-borne status.

In contrast to most of the arthropod-borne flaviviruses, the flaviviruses with undetermined arthropod-borne status are probably disseminated only by direct contact with excreta (saliva, urine, feces, etc.); however, as yet undescribed arthropod transmission cycles may be found for some of them. Twenty-two of these flaviviruses, including prototype and recently isolated strains, were compared. Biologic properties were defined by infectivity titrations in suckling mice and Vero, LLC-MK2, and primary Pekin duck embryo cells, and antigenic relationships were defined by complement-fixation and plaque reduction neutralization tests. An antigenic classification scheme is proposed. Antigenic and biologic properties delimit two large clusters. The first, comprising a single antigenic complex, includes those which have yet to be isolated from arthropods, but are likely to be so (Israel turkey meningoencephalitis, Koutango, Negishi and Aroa viruses). The second, encompassing five antigenic complexes, is comprised of viruses which have been isolated exclusively from rodents or bats (Saboya, Carey Island, Dakar bat, Sokuluk, Bukalasa bat, Entebbe bat, Phnom Penh bat, Modoc, Sal Vieja, Jutiapa, San Perlita, Cowbone Ridge, Rio Bravo, Apoi, Tamana bat and Montana Myotis leucoencephalitis viruses) but includes three viruses (Saboya, Sokuluk and Entebbe bat viruses) which may be arthropod-borne, as indicated by replication in mosquito cells in vitro.

Relationships of bunyamwera group viruses by neutralization.

A standardized serum dilution plaque reduction neutralization test was used for cross-neutralization studies of 23 strains of Bunyamwera serogroup viruses. Antigenic relationships were determined by inspection of the neutralization tests results as well as by numerical taxonomic analysis. Based on these analyses five complexes, containing 1-11 viruses, were distinguished. Little or no cross-reactivity was observed between viruses of different complexes. Three of the viruses tested were indistinguishable from prototypes and probably represent strains or varieties of those prototypes. A tentative classification scheme for the Bunyamwera group is presented.

Antigenic relationships among Simbu serogroup (Bunyaviridae) viruses.

Antigenic relationships among 24 bunyaviruses of the Simbu serogroup were determined by complement-fixation (CF), serum dilution-plaque reduction neutralization (N) and, where possible, hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests. By CF, three distinct complexes of closely related viruses were identified within the serogroup. Nola and Thimiri viruses, which showed little relationship with other members of the serogroup, may represent two additional complexes. N tests in Vero cells showed that individual viruses generally were distinguishable with little difficulty. Aino and Kaikalur viruses were indistinguishable by CF or N. Seven viruses showed hemagglutination activity, and antigenic relationships among these viruses by HI paralleled those established by N tests. A classification scheme, based on both CF and N test results, for the viruses of the Simbu serogroup is proposed.

Antigenic uniformity of topotype strains of Thogoto virus from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Prototype Thogoto virus from Kenya and Thogoto virus isolates from Portugal, Italy, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Iran were cross-tested by hemagglutination inhibition and serum dilution plaque reduction neutralization. Considering the broad geographic distribution of these strains, the antigenic differences seen appear to be essentially minor. This uniformity suggests that the distribution of Thogoto virus is due to repeated introduction of virus from common sources and that such introduction may depend on the movement of tick-infested domestic animals.

Arbovirus studies in the Guajira region of Venezuela: activities of eastern equine encephalitis and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses during an interepizootic period.

Repeated outbreaks of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) in humans and equines in the Guajira region of Venezuela suggested a sylvatic focus of an epizootic subtype of VEE virus. A surveillance system was established, and virus isolations were attempted from 67,760 mosquitoes as well as sentinel hamsters. Sixteen isolates of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and a strain of Itaqui virus were recovered from mosquitoes, and 60 isolates of EEE, two of VEE, and two of Itaqui viruses were recovered from tissues of sentinel hamsters. The VEE virus isolates were shown to be closely related antigenically to prototype VEE ID and the EEE virus isolates were shown to be more closely related to the South American than the North American variety of EEE virus. Evidence for the presence of VEE and EEE viruses in small wild vertebrates was obtained from serologic testing. This study showed, for the first time, the enzootic presence of both VEE ID and EEE viruses during a nonepizoodemic period in the Guajira region.

Arbovirus studies in southwestern Venezuela during 1973-1981. II. Isolations and further studies of Venezuelan and eastern equine encephalitis, Una, Itaqui, and Moju viruses.

Increasing utilization of arable land in southwestern Venezuela has led to a potential increase in human exposure to arbovirus infections. Since previous studies in the Catatumbo region of this area documented the presence of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) viruses, an attempt was made to study the transmission and maintenance of these viruses from 1973 to 1981. Isolations of EEE, VEE ID strains, Una, Itaqui , and Moju viruses were repeatedly obtained from mosquitoes, mostly Culex ( Melanoconion ) spp. and sentinel hamsters. The results indicate that these viruses constitute a potential hazard to public health in the area. Further, the strategic location of the Catatumbo region, between enzootic tropical foci of arboviruses, may provide circumstances and conditions for study of both enzootic maintenance and movement of these viruses.

Experimental studies of Rio Grande virus in rodent hosts.

Rio Grande (RG) virus, a new member of the Phlebotomus fever serogroup, was inoculated into wild wood rats (Neotoma micropus) and laboratory-reared cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) to determine if these potential hosts could be experimentally infected. Nine of 14 (64%) wood rats became viremic, with titers of circulating virus ranging from 10(2.3) to 10(5.3) plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml and a geometric mean titer of 10(3.7) PFU/ml. Virus was not detected in urine specimens from inoculated wood rats but was found in a single saliva specimen. RG virus was detected in the blood of 1 of 12 (8%) cotton rats. Neutralizing (N) antibody developed in 8 of 9 inoculated wood rats which survived for 30 days postinoculation and in 11 of 12 cotton rats. N antibody was still detectable in 4 of 7 wood rats which survived for 1 year, and all 7 were resistant to rechallenge with the virus, as were 3 wood rats with naturally-acquired antibody. High mortality (36%) occurred in inoculated wood rats; whereas low mortality (8%) occurred in cotton rats. The specific cause of death of the rats was not determined. Modes of transmission of the virus in nature are discussed.

Brus Laguna virus, a Gamboa bunyavirus from Aedeomyia squamipennis collected in Honduras.

A virus isolate from Aedeomyia squamipennis collected in Honduras in 1967 was identified as a member of the Gamboa serogroup (family Bunyaviridae, genus Bunyavirus). This is the ninth Gamboa serogroup virus and the eighth shown to be a distinct serotype.

California serogroup viruses from mosquitoes collected in the USSR.

Four California serogroup viruses isolated from mosquitoes in the USSR were tested for antigenic analogy with prototype viruses of the California serogroup. The topotype isolates are biologically similar to, but antigenically different from each other. One is a subtype of snowshoe hare virus, two are different subtypes of Tahyna, Lumbo, and snowshoe hare viruses, and one is identical to Inkoo virus, previously isolated only in Finland. The results indicate that molecular studies of these viruses are necessary to comprehend their evolution.

Distribution and prevalence of Mermet virus infections in the central United States.

Tests were run on 3,198 bird sera for neutralizing antibody of Mermet virus. The birds were mostly House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) captured in the central U.S. Antibody was detected in birds from Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, but not Kentucky or Missouri. Antibody prevalence differed by location and between years in similar locations. These results confirmed the widespread activity of Mermet virus in the central U.S., suggested irregular activity of the virus, and provided the first evidence that Mermet virus activity occurs in Mississippi, Indiana, and Wisconsin. No antibody to Mermet virus was found in paired sera from 966 humans with suspected arboviral infection.

A case of encephalitis in a human associated with a serologic rise to Jamestown Canyon virus.

An 8-year-old girl living in rural southwestern Michigan experienced sudden onset of symptoms beginning with headache, dizziness and fever which rapidly progressed to central nervous system involvement with seizures and coma. Following 27 days of hospitalization her recovery was uneventful, with no apparent sequelae 15 months after discharge. Serologic studies of paired sera showed a rise in antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus, a member of the California serogroup (family Bunyaviridae). Specific IgM anti-Jamestown Canyon virus antibody was detected in sera drawn 9 days after onset. A concomitant rise in complement fixation antibody to herpesvirus was also noted. We believe this is the first reported case of encephalitis associated with Jamestown Canyon virus infection. Reasons are presented for the current inability to routinely detect infection and clinical illness caused by this virus.

Isolation of a newly recognized alphavirus from mosquitoes in Vietnam and evidence for human infection and disease.

During studies of arboviral epidemiology in Vietnam, five virus isolates were recovered from Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes. Three of the five isolates were identified as strains of Japanese encephalitis virus, but the others, collected at Me Tri village, Hanoi, were shown to represent an alphavirus, for which we propose the name Me Tri virus. This newly recognized virus is most closely related to Semliki Forest virus. The two isolates appear to be antigenic subtypes of a single virus, and each was associated with central nervous system illnesses in children. Serologic surveys indicate widespread distribution of these viruses in both humans and livestock in Vietnam. We suggest that Me Tri virus is an etiologic agent of human disease in southeast Asia.

Identification of hitherto unrecognized arboviruses from Ecuador: members of serogroups B, C, Bunyamwera, Patois, and Minatitlan.

Three hundred seventy-nine virus isolates were obtained from mosquitoes collected and sentinel hamsters exposed in coastal Ecuador from 1974 to 1978. These included four alphaviruses [Venezuelan equine encephalitis 1B (1), Venezuelan equine encephalitis 1D (35), western equine encephalitis (1) and eastern equine encephalitis (4)]; two flaviviruses [St. Louis encephalitis (3) and Naranjal (6)]; 11 bunyaviruses [Maguari (243), Playas (3), Vinces (33), Turlock (2), Abras (5), Babahoyo (3), Acara (2), Guajara (3), San Juan (6), Pueblo Viejo (3), 18 unspecified Gamboa serogroup viruses, Palestina (7)]; and one vesiculovirus (vesicular stomatitis New Jersey). All but Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus were new to Ecuador, and Naranjal (serogroup B), Playas (Bunyamwera serogroup), Vinces (serogroup C), Abras and Babahoyo (Patois serogroup), San Juan and Pueblo Viejo (Gamboa serogroup) and Palestina (Minatitlan serogroup) are newly recognized viruses. These isolates have enabled us to 1) expand our knowledge of the geographic distribution of recognized viruses, 2) expand our knowledge of the members of certain serogroups and 3) establish two new serogroups (Gamboa and Minatitlan).

Jamestown Canyon virus (California serogroup) is the etiologic agent of widespread infection in Michigan humans.

In a sample population of 780 Michigan residents tested for neutralizing antibodies to California serogroup viruses, 216 (27.7%) had specific neutralizing antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus. An additional eight (1.0%) had specific neutralizing to trivittatus virus; none had specific neutralizing antibody to La Crosse virus. Significantly more male residents than female residents of the Lower Peninsula had antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus. The frequency of neutralizing antibody titers fits the Poisson distribution, suggesting that Jamestown Canyon virus infections occur endemically in residents of Michigan. Among 128 sera with specific neutralizing antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus, only two (1.6%) were found to have significant hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers with La Crosse virus, while 23 of 44 (52%) had significant titers with Jamestown Canyon virus; a single serum had significant antibody by complement fixation tests with both La Crosse and Jamestown Canyon viruses. This study confirms earlier speculation that complement fixation and hemagglutination-inhibition tests with La Crosse virus (the only tests for California serogroup virus infections performed by most state diagnostic laboratories) fail to detect antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus. ASPEX computer-drawn maps demonstrated that the distribution of persons with antibody to Jamestown Canyon virus and residing in Michigan's Lower Peninsula is closely correlated with the estimated distribution of white-tailed deer in that part of the state, further supporting the hypothesis that white-tailed deer are the primary vertebrate host for Jamestown Canyon virus.

Reevaluation of the western equine encephalitis antigenic complex of alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) as determined by neutralization tests.

Fourteen viruses closely related to the Fleming strain of western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus were cross-tested by serum dilution-plaque reduction neutralization. The results demonstrate that strains McMillan, R-43738, AG80-646, BeAr 102091, and Y62-33 are subtypes or varieties of western equine encephalitis virus strain Fleming. Ockelbo, Kyzylagach, and Babanki are subtypes of the prototype strain (EgAr 339) of Sindbis virus. Fort Morgan and Buggy Creek viruses are closely related to each other, whereas Highlands J and Aura viruses are distinct from other members of this antigenic complex. There appear to be parallels between geographic distribution and antigenic relatedness. We hypothesize that birds, the principal vertebrate hosts for these viruses, spread the progenitor viruses north and south and from continent to continent. Viruses of the WEE complex with lesser antigenic differences may develop in discrete ecologic conditions.