1
|
Fernández D, Marciel de Souza W, Silvas JA, Deardorff ER, Widen SG, Estrada-Franco JG, Weaver SC, Nunes M, Aguilar PV. Barrita Virus, a Novel Virus of the Patois Serogroup (Genus Orthobunyavirus; Family Peribunyaviridae). Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:190-192. [PMID: 32458789 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
During ecological investigations for arboviruses conducted in coastal Chiapas, Mexico, in 2007, isolate MP1078 was obtained from a pool of Psorophora varipes mosquitoes. Based on antigenic characterization, this isolate was classified as a strain of Patois virus (PATV) (Orthobunyavirus genus, Peribunyaviridae family). Recently, we conducted nearly complete genome sequencing of this isolate to gain further insight into its genetic relationship with other members of the Patois serogroup. Based on the genetic characterization, we determined that MP1078 contains S, M, and L genome segments that are genetically distinct from other viruses within the Patois serogroup. Serological analyses confirmed the taxonomic classification of MP1078 as a new virus and species within the Patois serogroup, and we propose the name Barrita virus (BITV).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Fernández
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas.,Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | | | - Jesus A Silvas
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas.,Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Eleanor R Deardorff
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas.,Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Galveston, Texas
| | - Jose G Estrada-Franco
- Centro de Biotecnologia Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.,Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, Galveston, Texas
| | - Marcio Nunes
- Center for Technological Innovation, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Patricia V Aguilar
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas.,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, Galveston, Texas.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gupta S, Wan X, Zago MP, Sellers VCM, Silva TS, Assiah D, Dhiman M, Nuñez S, Petersen JR, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Estrada-Franco JG, Garg NJ. Antigenicity and diagnostic potential of vaccine candidates in human Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2018. [PMID: 23350012 PMCID: PMC3547861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in Latin America and an emerging infectious disease in the US and Europe. We have shown TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 antigens elicit protective immunity to T. cruzi in mice and dogs. Herein, we investigated antigenicity of the recombinant proteins in humans to determine their potential utility for the development of next generation diagnostics for screening of T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease. Methods and Results Sera samples from inhabitants of the endemic areas of Argentina-Bolivia and Mexico-Guatemala were analyzed in 1st-phase for anti-T. cruzi antibody response by traditional serology tests; and in 2nd-phase for antibody response to the recombinant antigens (individually or mixed) by an ELISA. We noted similar antibody response to candidate antigens in sera samples from inhabitants of Argentina and Mexico (n = 175). The IgG antibodies to TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 (individually) and TcGmix were present in 62–71%, 65–78% and 72–82%, and 89–93% of the subjects, respectively, identified to be seropositive by traditional serology. Recombinant TcG1- (93.6%), TcG2- (96%), TcG4- (94.6%) and TcGmix- (98%) based ELISA exhibited significantly higher specificity compared to that noted for T. cruzi trypomastigote-based ELISA (77.8%) in diagnosing T. cruzi-infection and avoiding cross-reactivity to Leishmania spp. No significant correlation was noted in the sera levels of antibody response and clinical severity of Chagas disease in seropositive subjects. Conclusions Three candidate antigens were recognized by antibody response in chagasic patients from two distinct study sites and expressed in diverse strains of the circulating parasites. A multiplex ELISA detecting antibody response to three antigens was highly sensitive and specific in diagnosing T. cruzi infection in humans, suggesting that a diagnostic kit based on TcG1, TcG2 and TcG4 recombinant proteins will be useful in diverse situations. Chagas disease is the most common cause of congestive heart failure related deaths among young adults in the endemic areas of South and Central America and Mexico. Diagnosis and treatment of T. cruzi infection has remained difficult and challenging after 100 years of its identification. In >95% of human cases, T. cruzi infection remains undiagnosed until several years later when chronic evolution of progressive disease results in clinical symptoms associated with cardiac damage. Diagnosis generally depends on the measurement of T. cruzi–specific antibodies that can result in false positives. A conclusive diagnosis of T. cruzi infection thus often requires multiple serological tests, in combination with epidemiological data and clinical symptoms. In this study, we investigated the antibody response to TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 in clinically characterized chagasic patients. These antigens were identified as vaccine candidates and shown to elicit protective immunity to T. cruzi and Chagas disease in experimental animals. Our data show the serology test developed using the TcGmix (multiplex ELISA) is a significantly better alternative to epimastigote extracts currently used in T. cruzi serodiagnosis or the trypomastigote lysate used in this study for comparison purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Adams AP, Navarro-Lopez R, Ramirez-Aguilar FJ, Lopez-Gonzalez I, Leal G, Flores-Mayorga JM, Travassos da Rosa APA, Saxton-Shaw KD, Singh AJ, Borland EM, Powers AM, Tesh RB, Weaver SC, Estrada-Franco JG. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus activity in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico, 2003-2010. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1875. [PMID: 23133685 PMCID: PMC3486887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) has been the causative agent for sporadic epidemics and equine epizootics throughout the Americas since the 1930s. In 1969, an outbreak of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) spread rapidly from Guatemala and through the Gulf Coast region of Mexico, reaching Texas in 1971. Since this outbreak, there have been very few studies to determine the northward extent of endemic VEEV in this region. This study reports the findings of serologic surveillance in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico from 2003–2010. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed on viral isolates from this region to determine whether there have been substantial genetic changes in VEEV since the 1960s. Based on the findings of this study, the Gulf Coast lineage of subtype IE VEEV continues to actively circulate in this region of Mexico and appears to be responsible for infection of humans and animals throughout this region, including the northern State of Tamaulipas, which borders Texas. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) has been responsible for hundreds of thousands of human and equine cases of severe disease in the Americas. In 1969, an outbreak of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) spread rapidly from Guatemala and through the Gulf Coast region of Mexico, reaching Texas in 1971. Since this outbreak, there has been very little done to understand the ecology of VEEV in this region. Here, we present that the results of recent field studies that focus on confirming the continued existence of enzootic VEEV in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico. We performed serological analyses of sera collected between 2003 and 2010 from humans, cattle, horses, and dogs in various regions along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, and these data were complemented by wildcaught rodent serosurveys. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses were performed on VEEV isolates from this region to determine whether there have been substantial genetic changes in these viruses since the 1960s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Paige Adams
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Center for Tropical Diseases, and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Milazzo ML, Cajimat MNB, Romo HE, Estrada-Franco JG, Iñiguez-Dávalos LI, Bradley RD, Fulhorst CF. Geographic distribution of hantaviruses associated with neotomine and sigmodontine rodents, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis 2012; 18:571-6. [PMID: 22469569 PMCID: PMC3309664 DOI: 10.3201/eid1804.111028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
El Moro Canyon virus and Limestone Canyon virus are widely distributed and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. To increase our knowledge of the geographic distribution of hantaviruses associated with neotomine or sigmodontine rodents in Mexico, we tested 876 cricetid rodents captured in 18 Mexican states (representing at least 44 species in the subfamily Neotominae and 10 species in the subfamily Sigmodontinae) for anti-hantavirus IgG. We found antibodies against hantavirus in 35 (4.0%) rodents. Nucleotide sequence data from 5 antibody-positive rodents indicated that Sin Nombre virus (the major cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS] in the United States) is enzootic in the Mexican states of Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz. However, HPS has not been reported from these states, which suggests that in northeastern Mexico, HPS has been confused with other rapidly progressive, life-threatening respiratory diseases. Analyses of nucleotide sequence data from 19 other antibody-positive rodents indicated that El Moro Canyon virus and Limestone Canyon virus are geographically widely distributed in Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary L Milazzo
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0609, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deardorff ER, Estrada-Franco JG, Freier JE, Navarro-Lopez R, Travassos Da Rosa A, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Candidate vectors and rodent hosts of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Chiapas, 2006-2007. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012; 85:1146-53. [PMID: 22144461 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.11-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) has been known to occur in Mexico since the 1960s. The first natural equine epizootic was recognized in Chiapas in 1993 and since then, numerous studies have characterized the etiologic strains, including reverse genetic studies that incriminated a specific mutation that enhanced infection of epizootic mosquito vectors. The aim of this study was to determine the mosquito and rodent species involved in enzootic maintenance of subtype IE VEEV in coastal Chiapas. A longitudinal study was conducted over a year to discern which species and habitats could be associated with VEEV circulation. Antibody was rarely detected in mammals and virus was not isolated from mosquitoes. Additionally, Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus populations were found to be spatially related to high levels of human and bovine seroprevalence. These mosquito populations were concentrated in areas that appear to represent foci of stable, enzootic VEEV circulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Deardorff
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aguilar PV, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Ferro C, Haddow AD, Weaver SC. Endemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in the Americas: hidden under the dengue umbrella. Future Virol 2011. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.11.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is an emerging infectious disease in Latin America. Outbreaks have been recorded for decades in countries with enzootic circulation, and the recent implementation of surveillance systems has allowed the detection of additional human cases in countries and areas with previously unknown VEE activity. Clinically, VEE is indistinguishable from dengue and other arboviral diseases and confirmatory diagnosis requires the use of specialized laboratory tests that are difficult to afford in resource-limited regions. Thus, the disease burden of endemic VEE in developing countries remains largely unknown, but recent surveillance suggests that it may represent up to 10% of the dengue burden in neotropical cities, or tens-of-thousands of cases per year throughout Latin America. The potential emergence of epizootic viruses from enzootic progenitors further highlights the need to strengthen surveillance activities, identify mosquito vectors and reservoirs and develop effective strategies to control the disease. In this article, we provide an overview of the current status of endemic VEE that results from spillover of the enzootic cycles, and we discuss public health measures for disease control as well as future avenues for VEE research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia V Aguilar
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jose G Estrada-Franco
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Navarro-Lopez
- Comision Mexico-Estados Unidos para la Prevencion de la Fiebre Aftosa & Otras Enfermedades Exoticas de los Animales, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Andrew D Haddow
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aguilar PV, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Ferro C, Haddow AD, Weaver SC. Endemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in the Americas: hidden under the dengue umbrella. Future Virol 2011; 6:721-740. [PMID: 21765860 DOI: 10.2217/fvl.11.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is an emerging infectious disease in Latin America. Outbreaks have been recorded for decades in countries with enzootic circulation, and the recent implementation of surveillance systems has allowed the detection of additional human cases in countries and areas with previously unknown VEE activity. Clinically, VEE is indistinguishable from dengue and other arboviral diseases and confirmatory diagnosis requires the use of specialized laboratory tests that are difficult to afford in resource-limited regions. Thus, the disease burden of endemic VEE in developing countries remains largely unknown, but recent surveillance suggests that it may represent up to 10% of the dengue burden in neotropical cities, or tens-of-thousands of cases per year throughout Latin America. The potential emergence of epizootic viruses from enzootic progenitors further highlights the need to strengthen surveillance activities, identify mosquito vectors and reservoirs and develop effective strategies to control the disease. In this article, we provide an overview of the current status of endemic VEE that results from spillover of the enzootic cycles, and we discuss public health measures for disease control as well as future avenues for VEE research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia V Aguilar
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Milazzo ML, Barragán-Gomez A, Hanson JD, Estrada-Franco JG, Arellano E, González-Cózatl FX, Fernández-Salas I, Ramirez-Aguilar F, Rogers DS, Bradley RD, Fulhorst CF. Antibodies to Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (family Arenaviridae, genus Arenavirus) in cricetid rodents from New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:629-37. [PMID: 20795917 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood samples from 4893 cricetid rodents were tested for antibody (immunoglobulin G) to Whitewater Arroyo virus and Amaparí virus to extend our knowledge of the natural host range and geographical distribution of Tacaribe serocomplex viruses in North America. Antibodies to arenaviruses were found in northern pygmy mice (Baiomys taylori), woodrats (Neotoma spp.), northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster), oryzomys (Oryzomys spp.), deermice (Megadontomys nelsoni and Peromyscus spp.), harvest mice (Reithrodontomys spp.), and cotton rats (Sigmodon spp.) captured in New Mexico, Texas, or Mexico. Comparison of endpoint antibody titers to Whitewater Arroyo virus and Amaparí virus in individual blood samples indicated that the Tacaribe complex viruses enzootic in Texas and Mexico are antigenically diverse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary L Milazzo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0609, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Deardorff ER, Forrester NL, Travassos da Rosa AP, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Experimental infections of Oryzomys couesi with sympatric arboviruses from Mexico. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010; 82:350-3. [PMID: 20134016 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Coues rice rat (Oryzomys couesi), a species abundant throughout Central America, was evaluated experimentally for the ability to serve as an amplifying host for three arboviruses: Patois (Bunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus), Nepuyo (Orthobunyavirus), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus subtype ID (Togaviridae, Alphavirus). These three viruses have similar ecologies and are known to co-circulate in nature. Animals from all three cohorts survived infection and developed viremia with no apparent signs of illness and long-lasting antibodies. Thus, O. couesi may play a role in the general maintenance of these viruses in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Deardorff
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Barbabosa-Pliego A, Díaz-Albiter HM, Ochoa-García L, Aparicio-Burgos E, López-Heydeck SM, Velásquez-Ordoñez V, Fajardo-Muñoz RC, Díaz-González S, De Oca-Jimenez RM, Barbosa-Mireles M, Guzmán-Bracho C, Estrada-Franco JG, Garg NJ, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC. Trypanosoma cruzi circulating in the southern region of the State of Mexico (Zumpahuacan) are pathogenic: a dog model. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009; 81:390-395. [PMID: 19706902 PMCID: PMC2784919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we describe clinical and pathologic evidence of Chagas disease caused in dogs by circulating Trypanosoma cruzi from a newly recognized endemic area in Mexico. We show that the Zumpahuacan isolate, although less virulent than the Sylvio-X10 reference strain that caused acute myocarditis and death, was pathogenic in dogs. Dogs infected with the Zumpahuacan isolate exhibited electrocardiographic alterations, left- and right-ventricle dilation, and hydropericardium. Histologically, diffused perimysial and endomysial lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and amastigote nests were noted in Zumpahuacan-infected dogs. These findings suggest that the risk of T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease is present in the State of Mexico, and further research is needed to identify the T. cruzi bio-types circulating in southern State of Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Address correspondence to Nisha J. Garg, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, or Juan C. Vázquez-Chagoyán, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterimaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Autopista Toluca-Atlacomulco km 15.5, Toluca 50200, México,
| | - Juan C. Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Address correspondence to Nisha J. Garg, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, or Juan C. Vázquez-Chagoyán, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterimaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Autopista Toluca-Atlacomulco km 15.5, Toluca 50200, México,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Barbabosa-Pliego A, Guzmán-Bracho C, López-Heydeck SM, Aparicio-Burgos E, Garg NJ, Estrada-Franco JG, Fajardo-Muñoz RC, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Velásquez-Ordoñez V, De Oca-Jimenez RM, Ochoa-García L, Díaz-González S, Barbosa-Mireles M, Díaz-Albiter HM. Trypanosoma cruzi Circulating in the Southern Region of the State of Mexico (Zumpahuacan) Are Pathogenic: A Dog Model. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009. [DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2009.81.390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
12
|
Deardorff ER, Forrester NL, Travassos-da-Rosa AP, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Experimental infection of potential reservoir hosts with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis 2009; 15:519-25. [PMID: 19331726 PMCID: PMC2671456 DOI: 10.3201/eid1504.081008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple wild rodent species can serve as amplifying reservoir hosts for virus subtype IE. In 1993, an outbreak of encephalitis among 125 affected equids in coastal Chiapas, Mexico, resulted in a 50% case-fatality rate. The outbreak was attributed to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) subtype IE, not previously associated with equine disease and death. To better understand the ecology of this VEEV strain in Chiapas, we experimentally infected 5 species of wild rodents and evaluated their competence as reservoir and amplifying hosts. Rodents from 1 species (Baiomys musculus) showed signs of disease and died by day 8 postinoculation. Rodents from the 4 other species (Liomys salvini, Oligoryzomys fulvescens, Oryzomys couesi, and Sigmodon hispidus) became viremic but survived and developed neutralizing antibodies, indicating that multiple species may contribute to VEEV maintenance. By infecting numerous rodent species and producing adequate viremia, VEEV may increase its chances of long-term persistence in nature and could increase risk for establishment in disease-endemic areas and amplification outside the disease-endemic range.
Collapse
|
13
|
Estrada-Franco JG, Bhatia V, Diaz-Albiter H, Ochoa-Garcia L, Barbabosa A, Vazquez-Chagoyan JC, Martinez-Perez MA, Guzman-Bracho C, Garg N. Human Trypanosoma cruzi infection and seropositivity in dogs, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis 2006; 12:624-30. [PMID: 16704811 PMCID: PMC3294681 DOI: 10.3201/eid1204.050450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seroanalysis of parasite circulation in dogs can help identify T. cruzi infection in humans. We used 5 diagnostic tests in a cross-sectional investigation of the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in Tejupilco municipality, State of Mexico, Mexico. Our findings showed a substantial prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to T. cruzi in human (n = 293, IgG 2.05%, IgM 5.5%, both 7.1%) and dog (n = 114, IgG 15.8%, IgM 11.4%, both 21%) populations. We also found antibodies to T. cruzi (n = 80, IgG 10%, IgM 15%, both 17.5%) in dogs from Toluca, an area previously considered free of T. cruzi. Our data demonstrate the need for active epidemiologic surveillance programs in these regions. A direct correlation (r2 = 0.955) of seropositivity between humans and dogs suggests that seroanalysis in dogs may help identify the human prevalence of T. cruzi infection in these areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carmen Guzman-Bracho
- Instituto de Diagnostico y Referencia Epidemiologicos Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nisha Garg
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Brault AC, Powers AM, Ortiz D, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Weaver SC. Venezuelan equine encephalitis emergence: enhanced vector infection from a single amino acid substitution in the envelope glycoprotein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:11344-9. [PMID: 15277679 PMCID: PMC509205 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0402905101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1993 and 1996, subtype IE Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus caused epizootics in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. Previously, only subtype IAB and IC VEE virus strains had been associated with major outbreaks of equine and human disease. The IAB and IC epizootics are believed to emerge via adaptation of enzootic (sylvatic, equine-avirulent) strains for high titer equine viremia that results in efficient infection of mosquito vectors. However, experimental equine infections with subtype IE equine isolates from the Mexican outbreaks demonstrated neuro-virulence but little viremia, inconsistent with typical VEE emergence mechanisms. Therefore, we hypothesized that changes in the mosquito vector host range might have contributed to the Mexican emergence. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the susceptibility of the most abundant mosquito in the deforested Pacific coastal locations of the VEE outbreaks and a proven epizootic vector, Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus. The Mexican epizootic equine isolates exhibited significantly greater infectivity compared with closely related enzootic strains, supporting the hypothesis that adaptation to an efficient epizootic vector contributed to disease emergence. Reverse genetic studies implicated a Ser --> Asn substitution in the E2 envelope glycoprotein as the major determinant of the increased vector infectivity phenotype. Our findings underscore the capacity of RNA viruses to alter their vector host range through minor genetic changes, resulting in the potential for disease emergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C Brault
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Weaver SC, Anishchenko M, Bowen R, Brault AC, Estrada-Franco JG, Fernandez Z, Greene I, Ortiz D, Paessler S, Powers AM. Genetic determinants of Venezuelan equine encephalitis emergence. Arch Virol Suppl 2004:43-64. [PMID: 15119762 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-0572-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Following a period of inactivity from 1973-1991, Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) reemerged during the past decade in South America and Mexico. Experimental studies of VEE virus (VEEV) infection of horses with virus strains isolated during these outbreaks have revealed considerable variation in the ability of equine-virulent, epizootic strains to exploit horses as efficient amplification hosts. Subtype IC strains from recent outbreaks in Venezuela and Colombia amplify efficiently in equines, with a correlation between maximum viremia titers and the extent of the outbreak from which the virus strain was isolated. Studies of enzootic VEEV strains that are believed to represent progenitors of the epizootic subtypes support the hypothesis that adaptation to efficient replication in equines is a major determinant of emergence and the ability of VEEV to spread geographically. Correlations between the ability of enzootic and epizootic VEEV strains to infect abundant, equiphilic mosquitoes, and the location and extent of these outbreaks, also suggest that specific adaptation to Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus mosquitoes is a determinant of some but not all emergence events. Genetic studies imply that mutations in the E2 envelope glycoprotein gene are major determinants of adaptation to both equines and mosquito vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S C Weaver
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0609, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Anderson TJ, Haubold B, Williams JT, Estrada-Franco JG, Richardson L, Mollinedo R, Bockarie M, Mokili J, Mharakurwa S, French N, Whitworth J, Velez ID, Brockman AH, Nosten F, Ferreira MU, Day KP. Microsatellite markers reveal a spectrum of population structures in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biol Evol 2000; 17:1467-82. [PMID: 11018154 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 573] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multilocus genotyping of microbial pathogens has revealed a range of population structures, with some bacteria showing extensive recombination and others showing almost complete clonality. The population structure of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum has been harder to evaluate, since most studies have used a limited number of antigen-encoding loci that are known to be under strong selection. We describe length variation at 12 microsatellite loci in 465 infections collected from 9 locations worldwide. These data reveal dramatic differences in parasite population structure in different locations. Strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) was observed in six of nine populations. Significant LD occurred in all locations with prevalence <1% and in only two of five of the populations from regions with higher transmission intensities. Where present, LD results largely from the presence of identical multilocus genotypes within populations, suggesting high levels of self-fertilization in populations with low levels of transmission. We also observed dramatic variation in diversity and geographical differentiation in different regions. Mean heterozygosities in South American countries (0.3-0.4) were less than half those observed in African locations (0. 76-0.8), with intermediate heterozygosities in the Southeast Asia/Pacific samples (0.51-0.65). Furthermore, variation was distributed among locations in South America (F:(ST) = 0.364) and within locations in Africa (F:(ST) = 0.007). The intraspecific patterns of diversity and genetic differentiation observed in P. falciparum are strikingly similar to those seen in interspecific comparisons of plants and animals with differing levels of outcrossing, suggesting that similar processes may be involved. The differences observed may also reflect the recent colonization of non-African populations from an African source, and the relative influences of epidemiology and population history are difficult to disentangle. These data reveal a range of population structures within a single pathogen species and suggest intimate links between patterns of epidemiology and genetic structure in this organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T J Anderson
- Wellcome Trust Centre for the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Coetzee M, Estrada-Franco JG, Wunderlich CA, Hunt RH. Cytogenetic evidence for a species complex within Anopheles pseudopunctipennis theobald (Diptera: Culicidae). Am J Trop Med Hyg 1999; 60:649-53. [PMID: 10348242 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheles pseudopunctipennis was collected from Acapulco, Mexico and Sallee River, Grenada, West Indies and used in cross-mating experiments. Larvae from the cross, Mexico female X Grenada male, died in the third instar. However, adult progeny were obtained from the reciprocal cross Grenada female x Mexico male. These hybrid males had testes with apparently normal appearance but some without viable sperm. Polytene chromosomes obtained from hybrid females exhibited extensive asynapsis of the X chromosomes. Previously undescribed fixed inversion differences between the two populations were noted on the X chromosome. It is concluded that the two populations belong to different species. The Grenada population is designated An. pseudopunctipennis species C, since it is the third taxon recognized in this species complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Coetzee
- Department of Tropical Diseases, School of Pathology of the South African Institute for Medical Research and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Plowe CV, Cortese JF, Djimde A, Nwanyanwu OC, Watkins WM, Winstanley PA, Estrada-Franco JG, Mollinedo RE, Avila JC, Cespedes JL, Carter D, Doumbo OK. Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase and epidemiologic patterns of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine use and resistance. J Infect Dis 1997; 176:1590-6. [PMID: 9395372 DOI: 10.1086/514159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To assess the relationship between mutations in Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) and clinical pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance, polymerase chain reaction surveys and analyses for new mutations were conducted in four countries with increasing levels of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance: Mali, Kenya, Malawi, and Bolivia. Prevalence of mutations at DHFR codon 108 and a new mutation at DHPS 540 correlated with increased pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance (P < .05). Mutations at DHFR 51, DHFR 59, and DHPS 437 correlated with resistance without achieving statistical significance. Mutations at DHFR 164 and DHPS 581 were common in Bolivia, where pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance is widespread, but absent in African sites. Two new DHFR mutations, a point mutation at codon 50 and an insert at codon 30, were found only in Bolivia. DHFR and DHPS mutations occur in a progressive, stepwise fashion. Identification of specific sets of mutations causing in vivo drug failure may lead to the development of molecular surveillance methods for pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C V Plowe
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Estrada-Franco JG, Ma MC, Gwadz RW, Sakai R, Lanzaro GC, Laughinghouse A, Galvan-Sanchez C, Cespedes JL, Vargas-Sagarnaga R. Evidence through crossmating experiments of a species complex in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato: a primary malaria vector of the American continent. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1993; 49:746-55. [PMID: 8279641 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1993.49.746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crossmating experiments were conducted to determine if postmating reproductive barriers are involved in the maintenance of genetic divergence among populations of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato, a primary malaria vector of the American continent. Reciprocal crosses were conducted between colony and wild strains from Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. Hybridization experiments revealed unidirectional male/female hybrid sterility in crosses between Mexican females and South American males. The data presented provide the first evidence that genetic differences exist among geographic strains of An. pseudopunctipennis in neotropical America. There is a consistent pattern suggesting the presence of at least two allopatric sibling species. One species occurs in central Mexico, the other in the South American Andean Cordillera.
Collapse
|
20
|
Estrada-Franco JG, Lanzaro GC, Ma MC, Walker-Abbey A, Romans P, Galvan-Sanchez C, Cespedes JL, Vargas-Sagarnaga R, Laughinghouse A, Columbus I. Characterization of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato from three countries of neotropical America from variation in allozymes and ribosomal DNA. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1993; 49:735-45. [PMID: 7904129 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1993.49.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzyme electrophoresis and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato from nine isolated populations in neotropical America confirmed previous observations that it constitutes a species complex. Electrophoretic studies showed fixed differences at two enzyme loci, glycerol dehydrogenase (Gcd) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm), suggesting limited or no gene flow between populations from Mexico and South America. In addition, analysis of genetic distance showed two distinctive clusters, one from Mexico and the other from South America, separated at a Nei's distance level of 0.13, a value consistent in magnitude with that of other anopheline sibling species. The RFLP analysis revealed the presence of a ribosomal DNA fragment in Mexican strains that was absent in strains from South America. Two species have been identified through these studies, one provisionally named An. pseudopunctipennis A, a species from central Mexico, and the other An. pseudopunctipennis B, for the species found in the interAndean valleys and Andean slopes in regions of Peru and Bolivia. This research provides information required to elucidate the status of the different species of the An. pseudopunctipennis complex as vectors of malaria in the Americas.
Collapse
|
21
|
Estrada-Franco JG, Ma MC, Lanzaro GC, Gwadz R, Galván-Sánchez C, Céspedes JL, Vargas-Sagarnaga R, Rodríguez R. [Genetic evidence of a species complex in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis pseudopunctipennis]. Bol Oficina Sanit Panam 1992; 113:297-300. [PMID: 1418630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In light of inconsistencies in the pattern of malaria transmission within geographical areas inhabited by Anopheles pseudopunctipennis pseudopunctipennis, a study was carried out to investigate the possibility that this vector constitutes a species complex. Hybrid crossing studies, electrophoretic analysis of enzyme loci, and DNA restriction analysis were conducted on mosquitoes captured at nine sites in Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. The sterility of generations resulting from cross-mating of Mexican female mosquitoes and South American male mosquitoes; the results of electrophoretic analysis, which showed differences at two loci; and a genetic distance value of 0.13 confirmed the existence of a species complex, probably produced by allopatric speciation. It is concluded that the geographic distribution of this newly discovered species complex should be defined, in view of its potential effect on malaria control.
Collapse
|