Oviposition dynamics of Aedes aegypti in Central Argentina.

Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the vector of multiple arboviruses. To evaluate the association between environmental factors and the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti in Argentina, data on the presence and abundance of eggs were collected using ovitraps, between September of 2018 and May of 2019, in the cities of Villa María, Río Cuarto and Salsipuedes (Córdoba province, Argentina). We analysed the relationships between oviposition and five environmental factors: Temperature, precipitation, vegetation cover, human population density and distance to sites with a potential high density of larval habitats, like cemeteries and trash dumps. Environmental factors' data were collected using satellite image products. The oviposition activity was randomly distributed in three cities. Using generalized linear mixed models, we show that the house where each ovitrap was placed was a source of variability in oviposition, suggesting the relevance of microsite factors and the importance of domestic control actions. Ae. aegypti oviposition was positively correlated with night-time temperature of the previous 3 weeks, and in a context-dependent manner, it was positively correlated with human population density, vegetation cover and precipitation. The consistency and magnitude of these relationships varied between cities, indicating that oviposition is related to a complex system of environmental variables.

Arbovirus serosurvey (Orthobunyavirus, Flavivirus, and Alphavirus) in a draft horse population from Santa Fe, Argentina (2013-2016).

In the present study, we serosurveyed the exposure of 222 draft horses to different arboviruses in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina. Plaque reduction neutralization tests confirmed exposure to Fort Sherman virus (FSV), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Río Negro virus (RNV). Apparently, Western and Eastern equine encephalitis viruses did not circulate in the population tested. The confirmation of five seroconversions for WNV, FSV, and SLEV and the association between prevalence and age are indicative of recent circulation. These results highlight the importance of considering draft horses in arboviral surveillance in urban and rural areas of developing countries.

Effects of rainfall on Culex mosquito population dynamics.

The dynamics of a mosquito population depends heavily on climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation. Since climate change models predict that global warming will impact on the frequency and intensity of rainfall, it is important to understand how these variables affect the mosquito populations. We present a model of the dynamics of a Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito population that incorporates the effect of rainfall and use it to study the influence of the number of rainy days and the mean monthly precipitation on the maximum yearly abundance of mosquitoes Mmax. Additionally, using a fracturing process, we investigate the influence of the variability in daily rainfall on Mmax. We find that, given a constant value of monthly precipitation, there is an optimum number of rainy days for which Mmax is a maximum. On the other hand, we show that increasing daily rainfall variability reduces the dependence of Mmax on the number of rainy days, leading also to a higher abundance of mosquitoes for the case of low mean monthly precipitation. Finally, we explore the effect of the rainfall in the months preceding the wettest season, and we obtain that a regimen with high precipitations throughout the year and a higher variability tends to advance slightly the time at which the peak mosquito abundance occurs, but could significantly change the total mosquito abundance in a year.

Detection of Orthobunyavirus in mosquitoes collected in Argentina.

Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) (Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus, serogroup Bunyamwera) is considered an emerging pathogen for humans and animals in American countries. The CbaAr-426 strain of BUNV was recovered from mosquitoes Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in Córdoba province (Argentina), where serological studies detected high seroprevalences in humans and animals. Molecular detection of Orthobunyavirus was performed in mosquitoes collected in Córdoba province. Seventeen mosquito pools of Oc. albifasciatus, Ochlerotatus scapularis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) showed positive results; four of these positive pools, all of Oc. scapularis, were sequenced. All amplicons grouped with BUNV in the Bunyamwera serogroup. The findings highlight the circulation of BUNV in Córdoba province and represent the first report of BUNV-infected Oc. scapularis mosquitoes in Argentina.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and apoptotic induction of an aqueous extract of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC.

Achyrocline satureioides is widely consumed as infusion or aperitif and shows important therapeutic properties. Previously, we reported absence of genotoxicity of cold aqueous extract (CAE) of A. satureioides by Allium test. However, one test cannot predict the genotoxic effects of a substance. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and apoptotic ability of CAE of A. satureioides. In addition, CAE was chemically characterized. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by Trypan blue and MTT assays. The apoptotic capacity was evaluated by Hoechst staining and DNA fragmentation-analysis. The genotoxicity was studied by comet assay (CA) and micronucleus test. The identification and quantification of flavonoids were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The cytotoxicity studies indicated low toxicity of CAE. In addition, CAE did not induce apoptotic effects on human PBMCs. CAE did not show genotoxicity in vitro against Vero cells, at 10-50 µg/mL. CAE did not induce in vivo genotoxic effects, but it showed at high concentrations cytotoxicity by micronucleus assay. CAE presented flavonoids such as quercetin, 3-O-methylquercetin and luteolin. In conclusion, A. satureioides at popularly concentrations used, in aperitif or infusion, can be consumed safely because did not show any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects.

Cocirculation of Rio Negro Virus (RNV) and Pixuna Virus (PIXV) in Tucumán province, Argentina.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex includes viruses considered emerging pathogens for humans and animals in the Americas. Two members of this complex have been detected previously in Argentina: Rio Negro Virus (RNV), detected in mosquitoes from Chaco province and rodents from Formosa province, and Pixuna Virus (PIXV), detected in mosquitoes from Chaco province. To carry out surveillance studies in other parts of the country, detection of a 195-bp fragment of alphaviruses by RT-nested PCR was performed in mosquito samples from San Miguel de Tucumán city. Four pools resulted positive and three were sequenced. Two amplicons grouped with RNV and one with PIXV. This is the first report of viral activity of members of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex in north-eastern Argentina.

Risk factors associated with St. Louis encephalitis seroprevalence in two populations from Córdoba, Argentina.

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is endemic in Argentina. The first outbreak was recorded in Córdoba during the late summer of 2005. This study analyzes the association between social and demographic factors and other variables related to exposure to mosquitoes with SLEV infection in 264 individuals who attended two health centers in the city of Córdoba during the period December 2004-January 2005. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk coefficients. The seroprevalence was 12.9%, similar to that in previous reports. Risks of infection were associated with the presence of garbage dumps near dwellings, the practice of outdoor activities at night and place of residence. Risk for older people (60-80 years old) was moderate. The identification of risk factors related to SLEV infection would be useful to improve programs for vector control and community health.

Inhibition of cell fusion in Junin virus-infected cells by sera from Argentine hemorrhagic fever patients.

BACKGROUND: Junin virus (JV), a member of the Arenaviridae family, is the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). A low pH-pulse, induces fusion of Vero cells infected with JV to form syncytia, whose production can be inhibited by neutralizing antibodies against the JV major glycoprotein. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the existence of an antifusogenic activity present in sera obtained from natural infections of AHF over a 20-year period and to study both the fusogenic activity of one pathogenic and two attenuated strains of JV in Vero cells, at different pH. The study sample consisted of sera obtained from two provinces in the Argentine Republic. Vero cells grown in monolayers, were infected with different strains of JV and a 2 h pulse, at different pH, was performed. Syncytium production was evaluated 12 h later, after staining with Giemsa. Neutralization tests against the attenuated strain XJCl3 were carried out and the antifusogenic activity of immunosera was studied by incubating serum with JV-infected Vero cells. Also the fusion activity in Vero cells infected with three JV strains was assayed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A pathogenic strain XJ exhibited the highest fusogenic activity at pH 5. Syncytium formation was prevented by patients' sera obtained from different geographical locations, independently of time of infection. However, when Vero cells were infected with XJ, a significant reduction of syncytium production was observed, though the level of inhibition was lower than that detected in other JV strains-infected cells. These results could be explained by the existence of a conserved domain on JV proteins and also antigenic heterogeneity among strains.

Brote de encefalitis de St. Louis en la provincia de Córdoba

La encefalitis de Saint Louis (ESL) es una enfermedad viral transmitida al humano por mosquitos del género culex spp. El agente causal es un arbovirus miembro de la familia flaviviridae. En Argentina es una infección de distribución amplia con una prevalencia serológica del 10-68%. Está demostrada su circulación en aves. Entre los meses de enero y abril de 2005 se presentaron en la provincia de Córdoba 48 casos de ESL. En nuestra experiencia asistimos 9 casos de esta encefalitis.

Brote de encefalitis de St. Louis en la provincia de Córdoba

La encefalitis de Saint Louis (ESL) es una enfermedad viral transmitida al humano por mosquitos del género culex spp. El agente causal es un arbovirus miembro de la familia flaviviridae. En Argentina es una infección de distribución amplia con una prevalencia serológica del 10-68%. Está demostrada su circulación en aves. Entre los meses de enero y abril de 2005 se presentaron en la provincia de Córdoba 48 casos de ESL. En nuestra experiencia asistimos 9 casos de esta encefalitis.(AU)

An indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against St. Louis Encephalitis virus.

An in house indirect immmunofluorescence assay ( IFA ) in relation to neutralization (NT) reference test, was assessed as a fast and cheap method to carry out serological surveys for St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLE). Sera obtained from 213 blood donors were analyzed by both tests. The prevalence of seropositivity obtained with IFA was lower than (30.98%) that observed on NT (41.78%). The relative specificity rate of IFA was 96.77% whereas its relative sensitivity rate was 69.66%. Kappa index showed a good correlation between both tests. The results indicate that neutralization assay is still the serological test with the highest sensitivity and specificity relative rates for detecting antibodies against SLE virus. Nevertheless, the IFA could be useful as an alternative test in order to learn the circulation of the Flavivirus genus in a certain area.

[Prevalence of Flavivirus antibodies in Alouatta caraya primate autochthonous of Argentina]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos para Flavivirus en el primate Alouatta caraya autoctono de la Argentina.

Flavivirus constitute a human health problem in our country. Primates are known to participate in the maintenance of Dengue and Yellow Fever viruses. However, these animals play a role which still remains to be determined in the maintenance of other viruses with potential pathogenicity for human beings and/or animals. Detección of antibodies was performed for different flavivirus in 105 sera samples of Alouatta caraya primates by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. The neutralization (NT) test confirmed only infections caused by St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus with a high prevalence in HI (35.23%) and NT (32.38%) antibodies. No antibody titres indicative of infections by Yellow Fever, Dengue and Bussuquara viruses were registered. Infection by the liheus virus could not be confirmed in these primates. There is a need for studies to detect new or reemergent viral infections in Argentina and the role that these primates could play in the maintenance of such infections.

[Seroprevalence of infection by St. Louis encephalitis virus in the Province of Formosa]. / Seroprevalencia de infección por el virus encefalitis San Luis en la Provincia de Formosa.

The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) in human sera provided by the Laboratory of Epidemiological Surveillance from Formosa District (Province of Formosa, Argentina) in 1995 and 1997. The tests used for this study were hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization (NT). The screening performed by NT test showed prevalences of 21% (60/284) and 32% (50/157) of antibodies in samples obtained in 1995 and 1997 respectively. In 1995, 14% of tested sera showed low titer of neutralizing antibodies (NT) (1/20 and 1/40) whereas in 1997, 19% of the sera presented titers of NT antibodies equal or greater than 1/80. It was observed that sera with low titers of NT antibodies (1/20-1/40) resulted negative in HI in the simultaneous titration of antibodies by NT and HI whereas other sera presented high titers for both tests. This relation between the low and the high titers of antibodies indicates the presence of past and recent infections and the continuous circulation of this virus. Moreover, the prevalence of NT antibodies in the surveyed population increased significantly in 2 years (p < 0.0075) confirming the endemicity of this agent in this area and showing the need to perform studies of non-confirmed viral etiology febrile diseases to determine its importance in human pathogenicity.

Prevalencia de anticuerpos para Flavivirus en el primate Alouatta caraya autoctono de la Argentina. / [Prevalence of Flavivirus antibodies in Alouatta caraya primate autochthonous of Argentina]

Flavivirus constitute a human health problem in our country. Primates are known to participate in the maintenance of Dengue and Yellow Fever viruses. However, these animals play a role which still remains to be determined in the maintenance of other viruses with potential pathogenicity for human beings and/or animals. Detección of antibodies was performed for different flavivirus in 105 sera samples of Alouatta caraya primates by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. The neutralization (NT) test confirmed only infections caused by St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus with a high prevalence in HI (35.23

) and NT (32.38

) antibodies. No antibody titres indicative of infections by Yellow Fever, Dengue and Bussuquara viruses were registered. Infection by the liheus virus could not be confirmed in these primates. There is a need for studies to detect new or reemergent viral infections in Argentina and the role that these primates could play in the maintenance of such infections.

Seroprevalencia de infección por el virus encefalitis San Luis en la Provincia de Formosa. / [Seroprevalence of infection by St. Louis encephalitis virus in the Province of Formosa]

The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) in human sera provided by the Laboratory of Epidemiological Surveillance from Formosa District (Province of Formosa, Argentina) in 1995 and 1997. The tests used for this study were hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization (NT). The screening performed by NT test showed prevalences of 21

(60/284) and 32

(50/157) of antibodies in samples obtained in 1995 and 1997 respectively. In 1995, 14

of tested sera showed low titer of neutralizing antibodies (NT) (1/20 and 1/40) whereas in 1997, 19

of the sera presented titers of NT antibodies equal or greater than 1/80. It was observed that sera with low titers of NT antibodies (1/20-1/40) resulted negative in HI in the simultaneous titration of antibodies by NT and HI whereas other sera presented high titers for both tests. This relation between the low and the high titers of antibodies indicates the presence of past and recent infections and the continuous circulation of this virus. Moreover, the prevalence of NT antibodies in the surveyed population increased significantly in 2 years (p < 0.0075) confirming the endemicity of this agent in this area and showing the need to perform studies of non-confirmed viral etiology febrile diseases to determine its importance in human pathogenicity.

Prevalencia de anticuerpos contra flavivirus en jóvenes voluntarios ingresantes al servicio militar de la Provincia de Formosa, Argentina / Seropositive against Flavivirus in young recruits from the Province of Formosa, Argentina

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer la prevalencia de anticuerpos en poblaciones de riesgo a los Flavivirus. Se analizaron 189 sueros humanos provenientes de 3 localidades de la Provincia de Formosa. La región estudiada fue seleccionada por su proximidad a Brasil y Paraguay con el fin de verificar la probable introducción de Flavivirus de estos pa1ses, especialmente dengue y fiebre amarilla o la emergencia de los ya existentes en nuestro país. Se realizaron las pruebas de inhibición de la hemoaglutinación (IH), fijación del Complemento (FC) y neutralización (NT), utilizando los virus de la encefalitis de San Luis (ESL), Bussuquara, Ilheus, fiebre amarilla (FA)y dengue subtipos 1 y 2. Todos los sueros fueron negativos por IH para dengue e Ilheus. Por esta prueba un suero fue positivo sólo para FA, y dos sólo para Bussuquara, confirmándose uno por NT. Un total de 22 sueros fue positivo para ESL por IH y 40 sueros reaccionaron por la prueba de NT contra el mismo virus. La prevalencia de anticuerpos IH y NT fue similar para las tres localidades estudiadas. Estos resultados muestran que el virus ESL circula efectivamente en la zona estudiada con un valor de prevalencia de anticuerpos IH y NT significativo y que el mencionado virus podría cumplir un rol importante en infecciones febriles de etiología viral no confirmados en esa zona de nuestro país

Prevalencia de anticuerpos contra flavivirus en jóvenes voluntarios ingresantes al servicio militar de la Provincia de Formosa, Argentina / Seropositive against Flavivirus in young recruits from the Province of Formosa, Argentina

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer la prevalencia de anticuerpos en poblaciones de riesgo a los Flavivirus. Se analizaron 189 sueros humanos provenientes de 3 localidades de la Provincia de Formosa. La región estudiada fue seleccionada por su proximidad a Brasil y Paraguay con el fin de verificar la probable introducción de Flavivirus de estos pa1ses, especialmente dengue y fiebre amarilla o la emergencia de los ya existentes en nuestro país. Se realizaron las pruebas de inhibición de la hemoaglutinación (IH), fijación del Complemento (FC) y neutralización (NT), utilizando los virus de la encefalitis de San Luis (ESL), Bussuquara, Ilheus, fiebre amarilla (FA)y dengue subtipos 1 y 2. Todos los sueros fueron negativos por IH para dengue e Ilheus. Por esta prueba un suero fue positivo sólo para FA, y dos sólo para Bussuquara, confirmándose uno por NT. Un total de 22 sueros fue positivo para ESL por IH y 40 sueros reaccionaron por la prueba de NT contra el mismo virus. La prevalencia de anticuerpos IH y NT fue similar para las tres localidades estudiadas. Estos resultados muestran que el virus ESL circula efectivamente en la zona estudiada con un valor de prevalencia de anticuerpos IH y NT significativo y que el mencionado virus podría cumplir un rol importante en infecciones febriles de etiología viral no confirmados en esa zona de nuestro país(AU)

[Prevalence of Flavivirus antibodies in young voluntary recruits to military service in the province of Formosa, Argentina]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos contra flavivirus en jóvenes voluntarios ingresantes al servicio militar de la Provincia de Formosa, Argentina.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence to Flavivirus, in young people living in risk areas. We analyzed 189 human sera from 3 towns in the Province of Formosa. This area corresponds to the border that limits Brasil and Paraguay and the aim was to search for a possible introduction of Dengue and Yellow Fever from these countries. Serological tests such as haemagglutination inhibition (HI), complement fixation (CF) and neutralization (NT) were performed using St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), Bussuquara, Ilheus, Yellow fever and dengue 1 and 2 viruses. No definite evidence for HI antibodies to dengue and Ilheus was obtained. One serum cross-reacted only with yellow fever and two sera only for Bussuquara by the HI test. Only one serum was confirmed to be positive for Bussuquara by NT test. A total of 22 sera from 189 were positive for SLE by the HI test and 40 were also reactive by the NT test. The seroprevalence measured by HI and NT antibodies was similar in the three departments studied. These results show that SLE virus is present in the North of Argentina with an important value of prevalence so that this agent could play an important role in the febrile infections not virologically confirmed.