[Serological evidence of St. Louis encephalitis virus circulation in birds from Buenos Aires City, Argentina]. / Evidencia serológica de circulación del virus de la encefalitis de San Luis en aves de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Our goal was to determine the presence of neutralizing antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) in sera of wild and domestic birds from Buenos Aires City, Argentina. From October 2012 to April 2013, 180 samples were collected and processed by the microneutralization technique. A 7.2% of the sampled birds were seropositive for SLEV, while no seropositive birds for WNV were detected.

Evidencia serológica de circulación del virus de la encefalitis de San Luis en aves de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Serological evidence of St. Louis encephalitis virus circulation in birds from Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Nuestro objetivo fue conocer la presencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes contra el virus de la encefalitis de San Luis (St. Louis encephalitis virus [SLEV]) y el virus del Nilo Occidental (West Nile virus [WNV]) en sueros de aves silvestres y domésticas de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Desde octubre del 2012 hasta abril del 2013 se colectaron 180 muestras que fueron procesadas por la técnica de microneutralización. El 7,2% de las aves muestreadas resultaron seropositivas para SLEV, mientras que no se detectaron aves seropositivas para WNV

Our goal was to determine the presence of neutralizing antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) in sera of wild and domestic birds from Buenos Aires City, Argentina. From October 2012 to April 2013, 180 samples were collected and processed by the microneutralization technique. A 7.2 % of the sampled birds were seropositive for SLEV, while no seropositive birds for WNV were detected

Evidence of hepatitis A virus circulation in central Argentina: seroprevalence and environmental surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has shown intermediate endemicity in Argentina, but notification of clinical cases has decreased since the introduction of the vaccine in 2005. OBJECTIVES: In order to get insight into the local circulation of this virus after four years of the official introduction of the vaccine, the aims of this study were to provide information on HAV immune status of the adult population of Córdoba city and to conduct environmental surveillance of HAV in sewage and river samples in the same region. STUDY DESIGN: The prevalence of anti-HAV was determined by EIA in 416 samples of people (without prior vaccination) from Córdoba city (2009-2010). Spline regression models were estimated under generalized additive models. Environmental surveillance was conducted in river and sewage samples collected in the same period. Viral detection was performed by RT-Nested PCR of the 5'UTR. RESULTS: In Córdoba, the global prevalence of anti-HAV was 73.5%. It increased with age (p<0.0001) and it was associated with the low-income population (OR: 1.14; 95% CI 1.05-1.25). This prevalence decreased in younger age groups, especially in the high-income population. Environmental monitoring revealed the presence of HAV (IA) in 20.8% and 16.1% of wastewater and river samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: As a consequence of a decrease in HAV circulation due to improvements in immunization, socio-economic and hygienic conditions, young adults are becoming increasingly susceptible to HAV infections. Environmental monitoring demonstrated that HAV circulates in the local population; therefore, health care systems should consider the implementation of preventive measures for susceptible adults in order to reduce the risk of HAV infection.

Mapping environmental susceptibility to Saint Louis encephalitis virus, based on a decision tree model of remotely-sensed data.

In response to the first human outbreak (January May 2005) of Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus in Córdoba province, Argentina, we developed an environmental SLE virus risk map for the capital, i.e. Córdoba city. The aim was to provide a map capable of detecting macro-environmental factors associated with the spatial distribution of SLE cases, based on remotely sensed data and a geographical information system. Vegetation, soil brightness, humidity status, distances to water-bodies and areas covered by vegetation were assessed based on pre-outbreak images provided by the Landsat 5TM satellite. A strong inverse relationship between the number of humans infected by SLEV and distance to high-vigor vegetation was noted. A statistical non-hierarchic decision tree model was constructed, based on environmental variables representing the areas surrounding patient residences. From this point of view, 18% of the city could be classified as being at high risk for SLEV infection, while 34% carried a low risk, or none at all. Taking the whole 2005 epidemic into account, 80% of the cases came from areas classified by the model as medium-high or high risk. Almost 46% of the cases were registered in high-risk areas, while there were no cases (0%) in areas affirmed as risk free.

Human outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis detected in Argentina, 2005.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of flavivirus encephalitis occurred in 2005 in Córdoba province, Argentina. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the epidemiologic and clinical features of that outbreak and provide the serologic results that identified St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) as the etiologic agent. STUDY DESIGN: From January to May 2005, patients with symptoms of encephalitis, meningitis, or fever with severe headache were evaluated and an etiologic diagnosis achieved by detection of flavivirus-specific antibody sera and cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: The epidemic curve of 47 cases showed an explosive outbreak starting in January 2005 with one peak in mid-February and a second peak in mid-March; the epidemic ended in May. Cases occurred predominantly among persons 60 years and older. Nine deaths were reported. SLEV antibodies, when detected in 47 patients studied, had a pattern characteristic of a primary SLEV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Even though isolated cases of St. Louis encephalitis have been reported in Argentina, this is the first description of a large SLEV encephalitis outbreak in Argentina.