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Carrera JP, Araúz D, Rojas A, Cardozo F, Stittleburg V, Morales Claro I, Galue J, Lezcano-Coba C, Romero Rebello Moreira F, -Rivera LF, Chen-Germán M, Moreno B, Capitan-Barrios Z, López-Vergès S, Pascale JM, Sabino EC, Valderrama A, Hanley KA, Donnelly CA, Vasilakis N, Faria NR, Waggoner JJ. Real-time RT-PCR for Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex, Madariaga, and Eastern equine encephalitis viruses: application in human and mosquito public health surveillance in Panama. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0015223. [PMID: 37982611 PMCID: PMC10729654 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00152-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Madariaga virus (MADV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus complex (VEEV) are New World alphaviruses transmitted by mosquitoes. They cause febrile and sometimes severe neurological diseases in human and equine hosts. Detecting them during the acute phase is hindered by non-specific symptoms and limited diagnostic tools. We designed and clinically assessed real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays (rRT-PCRs) for VEEV complex, MADV, and EEEV using whole-genome sequences. Validation involved 15 retrospective serum samples from 2015 to 2017 outbreaks, 150 mosquito pools from 2015, and 118 prospective samples from 2021 to 2022 surveillance in Panama. The rRT-PCRs detected VEEV complex RNA in 10 samples (66.7%) from outbreaks, with one having both VEEV complex and MADV RNAs. VEEV complex RNA was found in five suspected dengue cases from disease surveillance. The rRT-PCR assays identified VEEV complex RNA in three Culex (Melanoconion) vomerifer pools, leading to VEEV isolates in two. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the VEEV ID subtype in positive samples. Notably, 11.9% of dengue-like disease patients showed VEEV infections. Together, our rRT-PCR validation in human and mosquito samples suggests that this method can be incorporated into mosquito and human encephalitic alphavirus surveillance programs in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Carrera
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Dimelza Araúz
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Alejandra Rojas
- Departamento de Producción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Fátima Cardozo
- Departamento de Producción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Victoria Stittleburg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ingra Morales Claro
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC-GIDA), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Josefrancisco Galue
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Carlos Lezcano-Coba
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Filipe Romero Rebello Moreira
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC-GIDA), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis Felipe -Rivera
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Maria Chen-Germán
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Brechla Moreno
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Zeuz Capitan-Barrios
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama
| | - Sandra López-Vergès
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Juan Miguel Pascale
- Clinical of Tropical Diseases and Research Unit, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Ester C. Sabino
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anayansi Valderrama
- Viral Emerging Disease Dynamics Group, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- Department of Medical Entomology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
| | - Kathryn A. Hanley
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
| | - Christl A. Donnelly
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC-GIDA), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Tropical Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nuno R. Faria
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (MRC-GIDA), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesse J. Waggoner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Romeiro MF, Fumagalli MJ, Dos Anjos AB, Figueiredo LTM. Serological evidence of Mayaro virus infection in blood donors from São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 114:686-689. [PMID: 32333001 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human infections by Mayaro virus (MAYV) occur by insect bites upon exposure to rural or sylvatic areas. Information regarding MAYV transmission is limited due to a lack of commercial diagnostic assays and diagnostic confusion on account of similarities of clinical signs with other co-circulating arboviral diseases. METHODS A serological survey of MAYV and Chikunguya virus (CHIKV) antibodies was performed by ELISA. Between 2017 and 2018, 5608 blood donor samples were tested. RESULTS Specific IgM and IgG antibodies to MAYV were detected respectively in 36 and 11 samples, indicating a total seroprevalence of approximately 0.83%. Neutralization activity was observed in two IgG positive sera. Additionally, eight distinct samples had IgM antibodies to CHIKV alone. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest previously unreported circulation of MAYV in São Carlos city, from southeastern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Farignoli Romeiro
- Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil
| | - Marcílio Jorge Fumagalli
- Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Dos Anjos
- Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.,Banco de Sangue da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil
| | - Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo
- Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil
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Dimaculangan M, Wiid SC, Bester PA, Sekee TR, Burt FJ. A simple and rapid approach to prepare Sindbis and West Nile viral RNA controls for differentiation between positive samples and laboratory contamination. J Virol Methods 2020; 278:113822. [PMID: 31954734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.113822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is frequently used for surveillance and diagnosis of arboviruses and emerging viruses. A disadvantage of RT-PCR assays, especially nested assays, is the potential for false-positive results caused by laboratory contamination from either positive controls or positive samples. Positive reactors usually require sequence determination for confirmation which delay timeous reporting of a result. Thus, the aim of the study was to use a simple technique to prepare a positive control allowing true positives to be differentiated from laboratory contamination based on size differentiation for conventional PCR, or melt temperatures for real time assays. A flavivirus positive control and an alphavirus positive control were prepared for two RT-PCR assays that we are currently using for arbovirus surveillance in South Africa. Primers targeting a region of the partial genes of interest cloned in pGEM®T-easy were modified at the 5' ends with non-viral nucleotides. The resulting amplicons were circularised, resulting in pGEM®T-easy constructs with 51 and 65 non-viral bases inserted into the partial flaviviral and alphaviral genes respectively and used as template for transcribing RNA. Sequence analysis was used to confirm the manipulation of the partial genes. Using virus specific primer pairs, viral RNA could be readily differentiated from the modified positive controls either by size differentiation, or melt temperature in a SYBR®Green real time RT-PCR. This study demonstrates how simple recombinant technology can be used to produce a positive control that has application in the laboratory for surveillance studies or as a diagnostic tool using synthetic genes to abrogate the requirement for handling infectious virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah Dimaculangan
- Division of Virology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Siewert C Wiid
- Division of Virology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Phillip A Bester
- Division of Virology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Tumelo R Sekee
- Division of Virology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Felicity J Burt
- Division of Virology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
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