ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Amazon region has extensive forested areas and natural ecosystems, providing favorable conditions for the existence of innumerous arboviruses. Over 200 arboviruses have been isolated in Brazil and about 40 are associated with human disease. Four out of 40 are considered to be of public health importance in Brazil: Dengue viruses (1-4), Oropouche, Mayaro and Yellow Fever. Along with these viruses, about 98% of the malaria cases are restricted to the Legal Amazon region. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the presence of arboviruses in 111 clinical serum samples from patients living in Novo Repartimento (Pará), Plácido de Castro (Acre), Porto Velho (Rondônia) and Oiapoque (Amapá). The viral RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed followed by a Multiplex-Nested-PCR, using Flavivirus, Alphavirus and Orthobunyavirus generic and species-specific primers. RESULTS: Dengue virus serotype 2 was detected in two patients living in Novo Repartimento (Pará) that also presented active Plasmodium vivax infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite scant data, this situation is likely to occur more frequently than detected in the Amazon region. Finally, it is important to remember that both diseases have similar clinical findings, thus the diagnosis could be made concomitantly for dengue and malaria in patients living or returning from areas where both diseases are endemic or during dengue outbreaks.
Subject(s)
Dengue/complications , Malaria, Falciparum/complications , Malaria, Vivax/complications , Adult , Brazil/epidemiology , Dengue/diagnosis , Dengue/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Malaria, Falciparum/diagnosis , Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology , Malaria, Vivax/diagnosis , Malaria, Vivax/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , RNA Viruses/classification , RNA Viruses/genetics , RNA, Viral/analysis , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Amazon region has extensive forested areas and natural ecosystems, providing favorable conditions for the existence of innumerous arboviruses. Over 200 arboviruses have been isolated in Brazil and about 40 are associated with human disease. Four out of 40 are considered to be of public health importance in Brazil: Dengue viruses (1-4), Oropouche, Mayaro and Yellow Fever. Along with these viruses, about 98 percent of the malaria cases are restricted to the Legal Amazon region. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the presence of arboviruses in 111 clinical serum samples from patients living in Novo Repartimento (Pará), Plácido de Castro (Acre), Porto Velho (Rondônia) and Oiapoque (Amapá). The viral RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed followed by a Multiplex-Nested-PCR, using Flavivirus, Alphavirus and Orthobunyavirus generic and species-specific primers. RESULTS: Dengue virus serotype 2 was detected in two patients living in Novo Repartimento (Pará) that also presented active Plasmodium vivax infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite scant data, this situation is likely to occur more frequently than detected in the Amazon region. Finally, it is important to remember that both diseases have similar clinical findings, thus the diagnosis could be made concomitantly for dengue and malaria in patients living or returning from areas where both diseases are endemic or during dengue outbreaks.
INTRODUÇÃO: A região Amazônica possui extensas áreas florestadas e ecossistemas naturais, provendo condições favoráveis para a existência de diversos arbovírus. Aproximadamente, 200 arbovírus foram isolados no Brasil, e 40 estão associados com doenças em humanos. Quatro destes 40 são considerados ser de importância para a saúde pública no Brasil: vírus da dengue (1-4), Oropouche, Mayaro e febre amarela. Juntamente com estes vírus, aproximadamente 98 por cento dos casos de malária estão restritos à região da Amazônia Legal. MÉTODOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de arbovírus em 111 amostras clínicas de sangue de pacientes que residiam em Novo Repartimento (Pará), Plácido de Castro (Acre), Porto Velho (Rondônia) and Amapá (Macapá). O RNA viral foi extraído, RT-PCR foi realizada seguida de uma Multiplex-Nested-PCR, usando primers genéricos e espécie-específicos para Flavivirus, Alphavirus and Orthobunyavirus. RESULTADOS: Detectamos o vírus da dengue, sorotipo 2, em dois pacientes que residiam em Novo Repartimento (Pará), que também tinham infecção por Plasmodium vivax. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de dados escassos, esta situação, provavelmente, ocorre mais frequência que a detectada na região Amazônica. Definitivamente, é importante lembrar que ambas as doenças possuem achados clínicos similares, assim o diagnóstico deveria ser feito concomitantemente para dengue e malária em pacientes que residem ou estão voltando de áreas onde ambas as doenças são endêmicas.
