Serological survey reveals enzootic circulation of St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile viruses in semiarid Monte ecosystem of Argentina.

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are arboviruses transmitted by Culex mosquitoes and amplified in avian hosts. The present study aimed to investigate the presence and seasonal circulation of SLEV and WNV in La Rioja province, within the semiarid ecoregion of the Monte, Argentina. Over a two-year period, avian sera were collected and tested for neutralizing antibodies against SLEV and WNV. Our results reveal the enzootic activity of both viruses in this challenging environment. SLEV seroprevalence was 4.5% (35/778), with higher activity in spring (2016) and autumn (2017). WNV seroprevalence was 3.5% (27/778), peaking during the summer 2016-2017. Greater seroprevalence for SLEV in 2016 was detected for the Lark-like Brushrunner (Coryphistera alaudina) and the Short-billed Canastero (Asthenes baeri) and in 2017 for the Black-crested Finch (Lophospingus pusillus) and Lark-like Brushrunner, whereas for WNV greater seroprevalence in 2016 was detected for the Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui) and in 2017 for the Lark-like Brushrunner and Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis). Additionally, five avian individuals experienced seroconversion during the sampling period, namely the Lark-like Brushrunner and White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum) for SLEV, and the Lark-like Brushrunner, Greater Wagtail Tyrant (Stigmatura budytoides) and Many-colored Chaco Finch (Saltatricula multicolor) for WNV. The study highlights the persistence and circulation of these viruses in a semiarid ecosystem, raising questions about overwintering mechanisms and transmission dynamics. This research contributes to understanding arbovirus ecology in diverse environments. Further investigations are needed to assess the specific mechanisms facilitating virus persistence in the Monte ecoregion.

Ecological Characterization of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at the Southern Coast of Mar Chiquita Lake, Argentina.

In the southern coast of Mar Chiquita Lake, central Argentina, mosquitoes affect public health and community livelihood, since they transmit pathogens to human beings causing diseases such as malaria, filariasis, encephalitis, yellow fever, and dengue, among others, and have a negative effect on cattle farming as well. To characterize the structure of the mosquito assemblage of the region, we determined the species composition and diversity, the temporal distribution of different species, and the patterns of species richness, abundance, and diversity across seasons. We collected adult mosquitoes over a two-year period (October 2004-September 2006) by means of CDC light traps baited with CO2 from 18:00 to 08:00 h during the warm season (October-April) and from 12:00 h to 18:00 h in the cold season (May-September). A total of 71,501 individuals from 30 species were collected, with Culex Linnaeus and Aedes Meigen genera representing more than 98% of collected specimens (61.5% and 37.3%, respectively). The higher values of richness and abundance of Culicidae were registered in warm seasons compared to cold seasons. Chao1 estimates suggested that more than 90% of the species were detected in all seasons. Mosquito abundance distribution fit the logarithmic series and log-normal models. Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart), Ae. scapularis (Rondani), Culex interfor Dyar, Cx. saltanensis Dyar, and Cx. dolosus (Lynch Arribálzaga), vectors incriminated in arbovirus transmission, were abundant year-round, with Cx. saltanensis and Cx. dolosus most prevalent in cold seasons. Further studies are needed to assess the role of these species in arbovirus transmission in this region of central Argentina.

Autochthonous circulation of Saint Louis encephalitis and West Nile viruses in the Province of La Rioja, Argentina.

St. Louis encephalitis (SLEV) and West Nile (WNV) arboviruses, which circulate in Argentina, are maintained in enzootic transmission cycles involving Culex mosquitoes (vectors) and birds belonging to orders Passeriformes and Columbiformes (amplifier hosts). The objective of this work was to determine the circulation of both viruses among wild birds in a semiarid ecosystem in the Province of La Rioja through a serologic survey. During spring 2013 and fall 2014, a total of 326 wild birds belonging to 41 species were captured in areas close to the cities of La Rioja and Chilecito, in the Province of La Rioja. While exposure to SLEV and WNV was analyzed in birds' serum through neutralizing antibody detection, viral circulation was estimated through apparent seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies. The exposure of the avian community to viruses was 3.02% for SLEV and 1.89% for WNV, while 1.19% corresponded to coinfections. Our study confirms for the first time the circulation of SLEV and WNV in wild birds in the Province of La Rioja. Moreover, it is the first study to register neutralizing antibodies for flavivirus in the species Leptotila verreauxi (White-tipped Dove) (WNV) and Melanerpes cactorum (White-fronted Woodpecker) (SLEV). These results suggest that in semiarid ecosystems from northwestern Argentina the requirements and conditions for amplification and enzootic maintenance of SLEV and WNV would be present.

Prevention of dengue outbreaks through Aedes aegypti oviposition activity forecasting method.

Dengue has affected the north provinces of Argentina, mainly Salta province. The 2009 outbreak, with 5 deaths and >27,000 infected, was the most important, and the first to extend into the central area of the country. This article includes research on seasonal Aedes aegypti abundance variation in Orán City (Salta province), and determination of the date of mosquito population increase and an estimation of the date of maximum rate of increase as well as the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r), to detect the optimal time to apply vector control measures. Between September 2005 and March 2007, ovitraps were randomly distributed in the city to collect Ae. aegypti eggs. The variation observed in the number of collected eggs was described by fitting a third-degree polynomial by the least square method, allowing to determine the time when population increase began (week 1), after the temperate and dry season. Eggs were collected throughout the year, with the highest variation in abundance during the warm and rainy season, and the maximum value registered in February 2007. The rate of increase of the number of eggs laid per week peaked between weeks 9 and 10 after the beginning of the population increase (week 1). Week 1 depends on temperature, it occurs after getting over the thermal threshold and the needed accumulation of 160 degree-day is reached. Consequently, week 1 changes depending on temperature. Peak abundance of eggs during 2005-2006 was recorded on week 15 (after week 1); during 2006-2007, the peak was observed on week 22. Estimation of the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of Ae. aegypti is useful not only to determine optimal time to apply vector control measures with better cost-benefit, but also to add an insecticide control strategy against the vector to diminish the possibility of resistance.

Two new mosquito species and six new provincial records in Argentina.

ABSTRACT. The geographical distribution of Aedes pennai, Anopheles galvaoi, Coquillettidia albicosta, Cq. nigricans, Culex usquatissimus, Cx. apicinus, Cx. chidesteri, Cx. coronator s.l., Cx. interfor, Cx. maxi, Cx. pipiens, Cx. saltanensis, Cx. educator, Cx. serratimarge, Cx. theobaldi, Psorophora cyanescens, Ps. cilipes, Ps. cingulata, Ps. pallescens, Uranotaenia lanei, Ur. nataliae, Wyeomyia diabolica, and Wy. melanocephala is extended, including new records for 6 provinces and 2 new records for the country, increasing the number of species in Argentina from 226 to 228.

New records of mosquito species for Central and Cuyo regions in Argentina.

The geographical distributions of Aedes aegypti, Culex apicinus, Cx. educator, Cx. interfor, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Mansonia humeralis, Ma. indubitans, and Psorophora albigenu/varipes are extended, including new records for 2 provinces.

Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psycodidae) fauna in the Chaco region and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis transmission patterns in Argentina.

In Argentina, the incidence of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) has shown a steady increase over the last few decades. In the Chaco biogeographical region, specifically, several outbreaks of ACL were recently reported in addition to the usual time-space scattering of ACL cases. However, little is known about the sandfly composition in the eastern, humid Chaco (HC) region or the western, dry Chaco (DC) region. Therefore, phlebotomine captures were performed throughout this region and an analysis of the distribution of reported ACL cases was conducted in order to assess the vector diversity in ACL endemic and epidemic scenarios in the Chaco region. The results support the hypothesis of two distinct patterns: (1) the DC, where Lutzomyia migonei was the most prevalent species, had isolated ACL cases and a zoonotic cycle; (2) the HC, where Lutzomyia neivai was the most prevalent species, had an increase in ACL incidence and outbreaks and an anthropozoonotic cycle. The epidemic risk in the Chaco region may be associated with the current climate trends, landscape modification, connection with other ACL foci, and Lu. neivai predominance and abundance. Therefore, changes in sandfly population diversity and density in the Chaco region are an indicator of emergent epidemic risk in sentinel capture sites.

Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psycodidae) fauna in the Chaco region and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis transmission patterns in Argentina

In Argentina, the incidence of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) has shown a steady increase over the last few decades. In the Chaco biogeographical region, specifically, several outbreaks of ACL were recently reported in addition to the usual time-space scattering of ACL cases. However, little is known about the sandfly composition in the eastern, humid Chaco (HC) region or the western, dry Chaco (DC) region. Therefore, phlebotomine captures were performed throughout this region and an analysis of the distribution of reported ACL cases was conducted in order to assess the vector diversity in ACL endemic and epidemic scenarios in the Chaco region. The results support the hypothesis of two distinct patterns: (1) the DC, where Lutzomyia migonei was the most prevalent species, had isolated ACL cases and a zoonotic cycle; (2) the HC, where Lutzomyia neivai was the most prevalent species, had an increase in ACL incidence and outbreaks and an anthropozoonotic cycle. The epidemic risk in the Chaco region may be associated with the current climate trends, landscape modification, connection with other ACL foci, and Lu. neivai predominance and abundance. Therefore, changes in sandfly population diversity and density in the Chaco region are an indicator of emergent epidemic risk in sentinel capture sites.

Fecundity of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus from Córdoba, Argentina.

Seasonal differences in the number and length of gonotrophic cycles of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus were determined in a temperate area of Argentina, in addition to analysis on number of eggs laid by females corresponding to the number of bloodfeedings per gonotrophic cycle throughout the year. Landing females were collected by using human bait and mechanical aspirators along the southwestern coast of Mar Chiquita Lake (in northeastern Córdoba Province) from February to November 2000. Collected females were kept in captivity under natural weather conditions, fed on a sugar solution (10%), and provided blood via a human host by different methods (treatment A: 1 bloodfeeding/gonotrophic cycle and treatment B: 2 or 3 bloodfeedings/gonotrophic cycle). A maximum of 5 gonotrophic cycles (average 2.24 +/- 1.11) were determined by dissecting ovarioles. The gonotrophic cycles were longer in females of treatment B (11.23 +/- 4.06 days) than those of treatment A (9.02 +/- 5 days). Females that completed the highest number of cycles were collected in winter and during the beginning of spring. The average number of eggs laid in each cycle was 90 (SD = 37.85) for treatment B females and 80 (SD = 29.99) for those of treatment A, with significant differences between treatments. Considering both treatments, the number of eggs laid was significantly higher after 3 blood meals than with 1 or 2 feedings. These results suggest that an increase in the number of feedings would lengthen the cycle and increase the production of eggs. No correlation was found relating to temperature and the length of the cycles, which suggests that the number of blood meals may be the determining factor in seasonal variations in egg production.