The direct and indirect effects of the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine on carriage rates in children aged younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review / Efeitos diretos e indiretos da vacina pneumocócica conjugada no estado de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, na América Latina e no Caribe: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT Objective To demonstrate the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage status in children younger than 5 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods A systematic literature review was carried out on the direct and indirect effects of pneumococcal vaccine in the carriage status, after implementation in childhood immunization programs. Studies carried out in children younger than 5 years were selected from the PubMed® and Virtual Health Library databases, and data collected after implementation of pneumococcal vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean, between 2008 and 2018. Results From 1,396 articles identified, 738 were selected based on titles and abstracts. After duplicate removal, 31 studies were eligible for full-text reading, resulting in 6 publications for analysis. All selected publications were observational studies and indicated a decrease in the carriage and vaccine types, and an increase in the circulation of non-vaccine serotypes, such as 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 and 38. We did not identify changes in the antimicrobial resistance after vaccine implementation. Conclusion A decrease in the carriage status of vaccine types and non-vaccine types was detected. The continuous monitoring of pneumococcal vaccine effect is fundamental to demonstrate the impact of the carriage status and, consequently, of invasive pneumococcal disease, allowing better targeting approaches in countries that included pneumococcal vaccine in their immunization programs. Our study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under number CRD42018096719.

RESUMO Objetivo Demonstrar o impacto das vacinas pneumocócicas conjugadas no estado de portador de Streptococcus pneumoniae em crianças menores de 5 anos na América Latina e no Caribe. Métodos Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura sobre os efeitos diretos e indiretos da vacina pneumocócica no estado de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, após a implantação da vacina nos calendários de imunização infantil. A partir de dados da PubMed®e da Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde, foram selecionados estudos de portador em crianças menores de 5 anos, com dados coletados após implementação da vacina de 2008 a 2018, na América Latina e no Caribe. Resultados Dos 1.396 artigos identificados, 738 foram selecionados mediante leitura de títulos e resumos. Após a extração dos duplicados, 31 foram elegíveis para leitura do texto completo, restando 6 artigos para análise. Todos os estudos selecionados eram observacionais e indicavam diminuição do portador e tipos vacinais, e aumento da circulação de sorotipos não vacinais, como 6A, 19A, 35B, 21 e 38. Não foi observada alteração na resistência antimicrobiana após a introdução da vacina. Conclusão Detectou-se redução no estado de portador, dos tipos vacinais e não vacinais. O monitoramento contínuo do efeito das vacinas pneumocócicas é fundamental, para demonstrar o impacto do estado de portador e, consequentemente, da doença pneumocócica invasiva, permitindo o melhor direcionamento nas ações em saúde para os países que incluíram a vacina no calendário de imunização. Nosso protocolo de estudo foi registrado no PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) sob o número CRD42018096719.

Performance evaluation of an indirect immunofluorescence kit for the serological diagnosis of dengue / Avaliação do desempenho de kit de imunofluorescência indireta para o diagnóstico sorológico de dengue

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the performance of indirect immunofluorescence for serological diagnosis of dengue virus in a population with high prevalence of arboviruses. Methods: Two-hundred serum samples from patients with clinical suspicion of dengue fever were tested by immunoenzymatic and indirect immunofluorescence assay BIOCHIP® mosaic. Specificity, sensitivity and Kappa coefficient were calculated. Discordant samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction for confirmation. Results: Of the 200 samples, 20% were positive and 80% negative for anti-dengue virus IgM antibodies in the immunoenzymatic test. Of the 40 positives, 25% were negative in indirect immunofluorescence. Of these ten discordant results, only 20% were also negative in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 160 negatives in the immunoenzymatic test, 5% were positive in indirect immunofluorescence. Of these nine discordant results, 33% were positive in the PCR. The Kappa coefficient was 0.7 (0.572-0.829). Sensitivity and specificity of indirect immunofluorescence were respectively 75% and 94%. For anti-dengue virus IgG antibodies, of the 200 samples, 15.5% were positive and 84.5% were negative in the immunoenzymatic test. Of the 31 positives, 12.9% were negative in indirect immunofluorescence. Of these four discordant results, 25% were negative in the PCR. Of the 169 negatives, 8% were positive in indirect immunofluorescence. Of these 14 discordant results, 64% were also positive in the PCR. The Kappa coefficient was 0.695 (0.563-0.83). Sensitivity and specificity of indirect immunofluorescence were 87.1% and 91.7%, respectively. Conclusion: For diagnosis of acute infection, the immunoenzymatic test is enough, and the use of additional methods is not warranted. Replacing the immunoenzymatic test by indirect immunofluorescence would compromise the sensitivity for IgM. However, indirect immunofluorescence can distinguish three arboviruses simultaneously, an advantage during concomitant epidemics.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho da imunofluorescência indireta no diagnóstico sorológico de dengue em uma população com alta prevalência de arboviroses. Métodos: Duzentas amostras de soro de pacientes com suspeita clínica de dengue foram testadas por ensaio imunoenzimático e imunofluorescência indireta mosaico BIOCHIP®. Foram calculados especificidade, sensibilidade e coeficiente Kappa. Nas amostras discordantes, realizou-se reação em cadeia da polimerase como método confirmatório. Resultados: Das 200 amostras, 20% foram positivas e 80% negativas para IgM antivírus da dengue no ensaio imunoenzimático. Das 40 positivas, 25% foram negativas na imunofluorescência indireta. Destas dez negativas, apenas 20% eram também negativas na reação em cadeia da polimerase. Das 160 negativas no ensaio imunoenzimático, 5% foram positivas na imunofluorescência indireta. Por fim, dentre as nove discordantes, 33% tiveram vírus da dengue detectado na reação em cadeia da polimerase. O coeficiente Kappa foi 0,70 (0,57-0,82). Sensibilidade e especificidade por imunofluorescência indireta foram, respectivamente, 75% e 94%. Para IgG antivírus da dengue, de 200 amostras, 15,5% foram positivas e 84,5% negativas no ensaio imunoenzimático. Das 31 positivas, 12,9% foram negativas na imunofluorescência indireta. Destas quatro discordantes, 25% apresentaram vírus da dengue não detectado na reação em cadeia da polimerase. Das 169 negativas, 8% foram positivas na imunofluorescência indireta. Destas, 64% foram positivas também na reação em cadeia da polimerase. O coeficiente Kappa foi 0,695 (0,56-0,83). Sensibilidade e a especificidade por imunofluorescência indireta foram, respectivamente, 87,1% e 91,7%. Conclusão: Ensaio imunoenzimático seria suficiente para diagnóstico sorológico de infecção aguda, não justificando a incorporação da imunofluorescência indireta. Substituir ensaio imunoenzimático pela imunofluorescência indireta poderia comprometer a sensibilidade para IgM. Contudo, a imunofluorescência indireta auxilia diferenciar três arboviroses simultaneamente, sendo vantajoso em epidemias concomitantes.

Chlkungunya in Somalia

During the month of May 2016, Somalia reported few sporadic cases of Chikungunya from its capital city–Mogadishu. At-least 11 blood samples were tested positive for chikungunya at the Kenya Medical Research Institute [KEMRI]. The tests were done using Real Time PCR as well as ELISA

Evaluation of arboviruses of public health interest in free-living non-human primates (Alouatta spp., Callithrix spp., Sapajus spp.) in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of arboviruses from the Flavivirus genus in asymptomatic free-living non-human primates (NHPs) living in close contact with humans and vectors in the States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: NHP sera samples (total n = 80, Alouatta spp. n = 07, Callithrix spp. n = 29 and Sapajus spp. n = 44) were screened for the presence of viral genomes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques. RESULTS: All of the samples were negative for the Flavivirus genome following the 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These negative results indicate that the analyzed animals were not infected with arboviruses from the Flavivirus genus and did not represent a risk for viral transmission through vectors during the period in which the samples were collected. .

Levantamento soroepidemiológico para arbovírus em macaco-prego-galego (Cebus flavius) de vida livre no estado da Paraíba e em macaco-prego (Cebus libidinosus) de cativeiro do nordeste do Brasil / Epidemiologic survey for arbovirus in galician capuchin monkeys (Cebus flavius) free living in Paraíba and captive capuchin monkey (Cebus libidinosus) from northeast Brazil

Este estudo descreve a primeira investigação de anticorpos para arbovírus em primatas não humanos do Novo Mundo no nordeste brasileiro. No período de março de 2008 a setembro de 2010 foram colhidos soros sanguíneos de 31 macacos-prego-galegos (Cebus flavius) de vida livre na Paraíba e de 100 macacos-prego (Cebus libidinosus) em cativeiro nos estados de Alagoas, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí e Rio Grande do Norte. Para a pesquisa de anticorpos utilizou-se o teste de inibição da hemaglutinação (IH), usando antígenos de 19 diferentes tipos de arbovírus, pertencentes aos gêneros Flavivirus,Alphavirus e Bunyavirus. As amostras de soro foram testadas nas diluições de 1:20 a 1:1280. Dentre as amostras examinadas, todas as de C. flavius foram negativas e 46 por cento das de C. libidinosus em cativeiro apresentaram anticorpos para arbovírus. Foram detectados anticorpos para nove (9/19) arbovírus. Foram observadas 17 reações heterotípicas, para dois ou mais vírus, do gênero Flavivirus, e 15 para o gênero Alphavirus, com títulos variando de 1:20 a 1:1280. Quinze amostras apresentaram reação monotípica para ILHV (n=4), MAYV (n=6), SLEV (n=1), ROCV (n=2), OROV (n=1) e MUCV (n=1). Estes resultados sugerem que houve intensa circulação de arbovírus na população estudada de macacos-prego em cativeiro.

This paper describes the first investigation of arbovirus antibodies on New World non-human primates from Northeast Brazil. From March 2008 to September 2010 blood serum samples were collected from 31 wild blond capuchin monkeys (Cebus flavius) from Paraíba and 100 captive capuchin monkeys from Alagoas, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte. The haemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) was employed for 19 arbovirus of the Flavivirus,Alphavirus and Bunyavirus genus. Serum samples were tested from 1:20 to 1:1280 dilutions. Among the primates tested all C. flavius were negative and 46 percent C. libidinosus presented antibodies to arbovirus. Antibodies were detected for nine arbovirus (9/19). Seventeen heterotypic reactions were observed for at least two Or Flavirus and 15 for Alphavirus, at titers varying between 1:20 to 1:1280. Fifteen samples presented monotypic reaction for ILHV (n=4), MAYV (n=6), SLEV (n=1), ROCV (n=2), OROV (n=1) and MUCV (n=1). These results suggest that there was an intense arbovirus circulation in the studied population of captive capuchin monkeys.

Detection of arboviruses of public health interest in free-living New World primates (Sapajus spp.; Alouatta caraya) captured in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Introduction A sero-epidemiological survey was undertaken to detect the circulation of arboviruses in free-living non-human primates. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 16 non-human primates (13 Sapajus spp. and three Alouatta caraya) that were captured using terrestrial traps and anesthetic darts in woodland regions in the municipalities of Campo Grande, Aquidauana, Jardim, Miranda and Corumbá in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The samples were sent to the Instituto Evandro Chagas (IEC) in Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil, to detect antibodies against 19 species of arboviruses using a hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). Results Of the 16 primates investigated in the present study, five (31.2%) were serologically positive for an arbovirus. Of these five, two (12.5%) exhibited antibodies to the Flavivirus genus, one (6.2%) exhibited a monotypic reaction to Cacipacoré virus, one (6.2%) was associated with Mayaro virus, and one (6.2%) was positive for Oropouche virus. Conclusions Based on the positive serology observed in the present study, it was possible to conclude that arboviruses circulate among free-living primates. The viruses in the areas studied might have been introduced by infected humans or by primates from endemic or enzootic areas. Studies of this nature, as well as efficient and continuous surveillance programs, are needed to monitor viral activities in endemic and enzootic regions. .

Abundance of biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides spp.) on cattle farms in Korea

Culicoides biting midges were collected on three cattle farms weekly using light traps overnight from May to October between 2010 and 2011 in the southern part of Korea. The seasonal and geographical abundance of Culicodes spp. were measured. A total of 16,538 biting midges were collected from 2010 to 2011, including seven species of Culicoides, four of which represented 98.42% of the collected specimens. These four species were Culicodes (C.) punctatus (n = 14,413), C. arakawae (n = 1,120), C. oxystoma (n = 427), and C. maculatus (n = 318). C. punctatus was the predominant species (87.15%).

Seroepidemiological monitoring in sentinel animals and vectors as part of arbovirus surveillance in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil / Monitoramento soroepidemiológico em animais-sentinela e vetores como parte da vigilância de arbovírus, no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: From February-September 2010, seroepidemiological surveys were conducted on non-human primates and transmitter vector capture was used to investigate the possible circulation of arboviruses in the municipalities of Bonito, Campo Grande, and Jardim, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 65 primates from the wild and captivity were used, and potential vectors were captured using Castro and dip nets. Serum samples were tested at the Instituto Evandro Chagas, State of Pará, using the hemagglutination inhibition test to detect total antibodies against 19 different arboviruses. Virus isolation was attempted from serum samples and arthropod suspensions using newborn mice and the C6/36 cell line clone. In addition, identification of the vector species was conducted. RESULTS: From the 19 serum samples from Campo Grande, 1 sample had a 1:20 titer for Flavivirus. From the 35 samples collected in Bonito, 17 samples had antibodies to arboviruses, 4 (11.4%) were positive for Alphavirus, and 5 (14.2%) were positive for Flavivirus. Monotypic reactions were observed for the Mayaro (n = 10) and Oropouche (n = 5) viruses, and 6 (17.1%) samples had titers for >1 virus. We captured 120 Culicidae individuals that were potential arbovirus transmitters in Jardim; however, all the samples were negative for the viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Mato Grosso do Sul has a variety of vertebrate hosts and transmission vectors, thereby providing ideal conditions for the emergence or reemergence of arboviruses, including some pathogenic to human beings.

INTRODUÇÃO: No período de fevereiro a setembro de 2010, foram realizados inquéritos soroepidemiológicos em primatas não humanos e captura de vetores transmissores, com o intuito de investigar a possível circulação de arbovírus nos municípios de Bonito, Campo Grande e Jardim, no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 65 primatas de vida livre e de cativeiro, e potenciais vetores capturados por Castro e puçás. As amostras séricas foram testadas pelo teste de inibição da hemaglutinação para a detecção de anticorpos totais contra 19 diferentes arbovírus e a tentativa de isolamento viral (camundongo recém-nascido e linhagem celular-clone C6/36) nas amostras séricas e suspensões de artrópodes, bem como a identificação das espécies vetoriais foram realizadas no Instituto Evandro Chagas-IEC no Estado do Pará. RESULTADOS: Das 19 amostras séricas do município de Campo Grande, 1 apresentou titulo de 1:20 para Flavivirus. Das 35 amostras coletadas em Bonito, 17 apresentaram anticorpos para arbovírus, sendo 4 (11,4%) positivos para Alphavirus, e 5 (14,2%) positivos para Flavivirus. Reações monotipicas foram observados para o vírus Mayaro (n=10) e para o vírus Oropouche (n=5) e 6 (17,1%) amostras apresentaram títulos para mais de um dos vírus estudados. Foram capturados 120 Culicídeos potenciais transmissores de arbovírus no município de Jardim. Todas as amostras coletadas foram negativas para o isolamento viral. CONCLUSÕES: Por possuir uma variedade de hospedeiros vertebrados e vetores transmissores, o Mato Grosso do Sul apresenta condições propícias para a emergência ou reemergência de arbovírus, inclusive alguns patogênicos para os seres homem.

Diagnóstico laboratorial da dengue: situação atual e perspectivas / Dengue laboratory diagnosis: actual situation and perspectives

0 diagnóstico da infecção pelo vírus da dengue é baseado, em grande parte dos casos, apenas no exame clínico do paciente, já que somente alguns poucos grandes centros possuem laboratórios clinicos que disponibilizam testes diagnósticos para confirmar sintomas clinicos de infecção. Atualmente, o diagnóstico laboratorial da dengue pode ser feito por diferentes tipos de testes. Entre eles estao os métodos de pesquisa sorológica, de isolamento viral, de detecção de antigenos virais e do genoma viral. 0 desenvolvimento continuado de testes diagnósticos baratos, sensíveis, especificos e de fácil execucção, que sejam capazes de proporcionar diagnóstico precoce da infecção pelos virus da dengue, é ainda uma necessidade. Existem também outros obstáculos que nao são especificamente relacionados ao desenvolvimento tecnológico dos métodos diagnósticos. Por exemplo, a infra-estrutura dos laboratórios, o treinamento do pessoal técnico e a capacidade de pesquisa ainda são limitados em muitas partes do Brasil e do mundo, onde a dengue é endêmica. Laboratórios clinicos, principalmente os que atendem às regiões de maior incidência da dengue, devem se interar de todos os métodos diagnósticos disponíveis para a rotina atualmente e definir qual se adapta melhor às suas condições de trabalho e população atendida, com o intuito de salvarvidas.

The diagnosis of the infection caused by the dengue virus relies in most cases on the clinical examination of the patient, since only a few major centers have clinical laboratories providing diagnostic tests to confirm the clinical symptons of infection. Currently, routine laboratory diagnosis can be done by different kinds of testing. Among them the methods ofserological research, virus isolation, detection of viral antigens and of viral genome are included. The continued development of diagnostic tests that are cheap, sensitive, specific, easy to perform, and that are capable of giving early diagnosis of the dengue virus infection is still a need. There are also other obstacles not specifically related to the technological development ofdiagnostic methods. For instance, the laboratories' infrastructure, the workers training and the research capacity are still limited in many parts of Brazil and the world, where dengue is endemic. Clinical laboratories, specially those situated in regions with high incidence of dengue, should be aware of all the diagnostic methods available four routine nowadays, and choose the best one that fulfills their working conditions and populations served, in order to save lives.

Preliminary investigation of Culicidae species in South Pantanal, Brazil and their potential importance in arbovirus transmission / Investigação preliminar das espécies de culicídeos do Pantanal Sul brasileiro e sua potencial importância na transmissão de arbovírus

In view of the high circulation of migratory birds and the environmental and climatic conditions which favor the proliferation of arthropods, the Brazilian Pantanal is susceptible to circulation of arboviruses. However, the amount of data concerning arbovirus vectors in this area is scarce; therefore the aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of Culicidae species in the Nhecolândia Sub-region of South Pantanal, Brazil and their potential importance in the arbovirus transmission. A total of 3684 specimens of mosquitoes were captured, 1689 of which caught in the rainy season of 2007, were divided into 78 pools and submitted to viral isolation, Semi-Nested RT-PCR and Nested RT-PCR, with a view to identifying the most important arboviruses in Brazil. Simultaneously, 70 specimens of ticks found blood-feeding on horses were also submitted to the same virological assays. No virus was isolated and viral nucleic-acid detection by RT-PCR was also negative. Nevertheless, a total of 22 Culicidae species were identified, ten of which had previously been reported as vectors of important arboviruses. The diversity of species found blood-feeding on human and horse hosts together with the arboviruses circulation previously reported suggest that the Nhecolândia Sub-region of South Pantanal is an important area for arbovirus surveillance in Brazil.

Regiões como o Pantanal brasileiro, que apresentam fatores como riqueza de fauna silvestre incluindo circulação de aves migratórias e condições ambientais e climáticas favoráveis à proliferação de artrópodes estão potencialmente sujeitas à circulação de arbovírus. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos foram realizados acerca da presença de arbovírus em potenciais vetores no Pantanal. Neste sentido o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi conduzir uma investigação preliminar para presença de arbovírus em amostragens de culicídeos capturados na Sub-região da Nhecolândia no Pantanal Sul. Um total de 3684 mosquitos foi capturado, dos quais 78 grupos compondo uma amostragem de 1789 espécimes foram submetidos às técnicas de isolamento viral e RT-PCR para os mais importantes arbovírus no Brasil. Simultaneamente, 70 espécimes de carrapatos capturados durante hematofagia em cavalos também foram submetidos à pesquisa viral. Não houve isolamento viral em nenhuma amostra analisada e os resultados de detecção de ácido nucléico viral foram também negativos. Entretanto, foram identificadas 22 espécies de culicídeos, dez das quais previamente reportadas como vetores de importantes arbovírus. A competência vetorial de espécies capturadas durante hematofagia em humanos e cavalos aliada ao relato prévio de circulação de arbovírus sugerem a Sub-região da Nhecolândia como uma importante área de vigilância para arbovírus no Centro-Oeste do Brasil.

Arbovírus Ilheus em aves silvestres (Sporophila caerulescens e Molothrus bonariensis) / Ilheus arbovirus in wild birds (Sporophila caerulescens and Molothrus bonariensis)

Objetivo: Relatar o isolamento do vírus Ilheus no Estado de São Paulo e avaliar o seu impacto para a saúde pública. Métodos: O isolamento de vírus foi realizado em camundongos albinos Swiss, a partir de sangue de aves silvestres, capturadas com redes de espera tipo mist net, armadas no nível do solo, no Parque Ecológico do Tietê, São Paulo. A identificação das cepas isoladas foi feita pelos testes de inibição da hemaglutinação, fixação de complemento e neutralização em camundongos. Amostras de plasma de aves e de mamíferos silvestres foram submetidas à pesquisa sorológica para detecção de anticorpos inibidores de hemaglutinação. Resultados: Foram isoladas duas cepas do vírus Ilheus em sangue de aves das espécies Sporophila caerulescens e Molothrus bonariensis e detectados anticorpos em aves das espécies Columbina talpacoti, Geopelia cuneata, Molothrus bonariensis e Sicalis flaveola, em sagüis das espécies Callithrix jacchus e Callithrix penicillata e no quati Nasua nasua. Conclusões: O isolamento do vírus Ilheus e a detecção de anticorpos específicos em aves residentes, migratórias e de cativeiro, em sagüis e quatis, comprovam a presença desse agente no Parque Ecológico do Tietê. O comportamento migratório de aves silvestres pode determinar a introdução do vírus em outras regiões. Considerando-se a patogenicidade para o homem e a confirmação da circulação desse agente viral em área urbana, freqüentada para atividade de lazer e de educação, o risco de ocorrência de infecção na população humana não pode ser descartado

Sloth biology: an update on their physiological ecology, behavior and role as vectors of arthropods and arboviruses

This is a review of the research undertaken since 1971 on the behavior and physiological ecology of sloths. The animals exhibit numerous fascinating features. Sloth hair is extremely specialized for a wet tropical environment and contains symbiotic algae. Activity shows circadian and seasonal variation. Nutrients derived from the food, particularly in Bradypus, only barely match the requirements for energy expenditure. Sloths are hosts to a fascinating array of commensal and parasitic arthropods and are carriers of various arthropod-borne viruses. Sloths are known reservoirs of the flagellate protozoan which causes leishmaniasis in humans, and may also carry trypanosomes and the protozoan Pneumocystis carinii

Arthropod-Borne viral Diseases in Peru

Arthropode-Borne viral diseases have been a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for several decades in Peru. Epidemics and epizootics of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), subtype IAB virus occurred among humans and equine at intermittent intervals from 1925 through 1973 along the Pacific coastal plains, extending southward from the most northern Departament of Tumbes to the Departament of Ica. While the VEE IAB virus has not been detected since 1973, several isolates of VEE ID and an isolate VEE IIIC were obtained during 1971 and 1975 from mosquitoes and/or sentinel hamster in Quistococha, northeastern Amazon region. In 1994, the first human cases, associated with VEE virus ID were diagnosed among Peruvian soldiers near Pantoja, northern Amazon region, and during 1995, primarily among students and military personnel in Iquitos, northastern Amazon region. As early as 1913 , a disease resembling yellow fever was recognized in the Amazon region Peru. Outbreaks of this disease have continued to occur, apparently at annual interval, with the most recent and the largest sylvan outbreak ever recorded in Peru being documented during 1995 along the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains. In 1990, dengue (DEN) 1 and DEN4 were first isolated in Peru during an outbreak of DEN fever among residents of the city of Iquitos, northeastern Amazon basin region. Seroepidemiological and case surveillance studies conducted 1992 through 1995 documented that DEN 1 continued to cause cases of DEN fever in Iquitos, and in 1995, an outbreak was associated with the introduction of DEN 2 into the community. Outbreaks of DEN fever, associated with DEN 1 occurred during 1994 and 1995 in the northern coastal cities of Tumbes and Piura, and in Pucallpa, Amazon basin region. In 1995, the first isolations of DEN 2 were obtained from febriles cases in Tumbes, Piura and Pucallpa. Although 2 serotypes of DEN were associated with human infection, none of the cases presented with hemorragic manifestations. The first isolations of Oropouche (ORO) fever virus were obtained during 1992 from febrile patients in Iquitos. The virus was isolated during 1994 from febrile cases and serological results revealed that ORO was the cause of an outbreak in the southeastern Amazon region. A single isolate of ORO virus was obtained during 1995 from a febrile patient in Iquitos

Occurrence of Pacora virus (PAC: Bunyaviridae: Bunyavirus - like) in Brazilian Amazonia: new findings

The Pacora virus (PAC: Bunyaviridae: Bunyavirus - like), was known only through some isolates obtained from mosquitoes (culex dunni) in Panama, and two isolates obtained in the Brasilian Amazon region from the sylvatic birds Phlegopsis nigromaculata and Automolus ochrolaemus. In order to add to the knowledge of the arboviruses' cycles, mosquitoes were colected in the Zoobotanical Park of Macapá (Amapá State), from August, 18th to September, 11th, in areas of rain forest and savannah. The collections were done at both ground and canopy levels in the savannah, with human bait and light traps. 5642 mosquitoes have been collected, of which 5580 (or 184 pools) have been inoculated intracerebrally in newborn mice. Two strains of PAC virus have been isolated from unidentified Culex mosquitoes. This result is the first report of PAC virus in Amapá State. The virus has also been isolated for the first time from mosquitoes in Brazil. Thus, the presence of the complete cycle of sylvatic transmission of this agent is confirmed in Brazilian Amazonia. The ecological data available for the host show that the virus circulates at the lower level in the rain forest (0-5 m) with mostly nocturnal mosquitoes as vectors.

Growth and maintenance of Aedes Albopictus cell line, clone C6/36, in different media

The sensitivity of Aedes albopicts cell line, clone C6/36, to arbovirus isolation and growth has been being shown by several authors. The present work has verified which, among several media under the same conditions, would be the most efficient one for C6/36 cultivation and viral isolation. The L-15 medium has proved to be the best among others (MEM,DMEM and 199) with the quickest viral isolation(DEN-1). Also, in this medium, the samples could be observed until the 14th day, without significative cellular death. The results reccommend L-15 medium as the most efficient and economic one for the purposes

Encontro de Virologia Abrangência Cone Sul: áreas animal, vegetal e humana. Programa e resumos

Fornece dados sobre a existência de arbovírus para o homem, na regiäo da Mata Atlântica, no estado de Säo Paulo. Presença do vírus Rocio, informaçöes epidemiológicas sobre o complexo VEE, a EEE, vírus Caraparu. Estabelece os ciclos de transmissäo hipotéticas dos arbovírus patogenicos para o homem, nesta área (MC)

Modifications of arbovirus transmission in relation to construction of dams in Brazilian Amazonia

The Amazonian region of Brazil seems to be the world's richest reservoir of arboviruses. To date, 183 different types of arboviruses have been detected in the Amazonian region, accounting for more than one third of the 535 arboviruses reported in the world. Of these, 136 (74.3 per cent) are endemic. The main objective of this paper was to evaluate what the effects of the construction and flooding of dams would be on the transmission and epidemiology of sylvatic arboviruses, in order to define the potential health hazards to which the human population would be subjected. Five areas were surveyed but only one could be thoroughly studied. Comparisons were made between surveys: i) inside the dam region, before, during and after the flooding period; ii) outside the dam region, in an area with a similar climate, landscape and vegetation, during the total time of the studies. The two chosen areas, namely Altamira and Tucuruí, were studied since 1974, and since September, 1982, respectively. The former, and the latter before the outset of flooding (September 6, 1984) were considered as a control or reference for comparisons with data obtained in Tucuruí during flooding and thereafter. The surveys consisted of sampling as many wild vertebrates and haematophagous Diptera as possible. Human sera were collected from febrile cases and random serological surveys. Very few variations seem to have occurred among the three phases of the study, with a maximum of positive serologies during the flooding period, but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, in the reference region, the prevalence of antibodies against the four more important arbovirus groups did not vary significantly. The arboviruses were classified under two categories: i) those which showed enhanced transmission and ii) those which showed no apparent modifications in their transmission patterns (referring to the control area). Three new and three already known types in the Anopheles A group of Bunyavirus were favoured by the great proliferation of Anopheles nuneztovari and An. triannulatus which accompanied the flooding of the dam. An epizootic of the Gamboa virus (Bunyavirus, Gamboa serogroup), newly reported in Brazil, was observed one year after the outset of flooding, when the mosquito Aedeomyia squamipennis showed very large populations. Guaroa (Bunyavirus, California group), an endemic arbovirus, showed an epizootic probably as a consequence of the proliferation of anopheline mosquitoes. A temporary proliferation of Culex spp. mosquitoes and the presence of a rich avifauna in the dam area during flooding are probable causes of the enhanced circulation of Turlock (Bunyavirus, Turlock group) and Kwatta-like (Rhabdoviridae, Kwatta group) viruses...