Vigilancia epidemiológica de Flavivirus (Arbovirus) y sus posibles vectores y hospedadores asociados en la ciudad de Córdoba

LA DIAZ; W ALMIRÓN; V RE; B KONIGHEIM; AA FARÍAS; L SPINSANTI,; J AGUILAR; AM VISINTÍN; A BORIS,; R REYNOSO; M OCCELLI; S FLORES; MA CORTEZ; A ZARCO; C CASTILLO; S ORTIZ BERGIA; N VILLAFAÑE; MS CONTIGIANI

Anales Fundación Alberto J. Roemmers

Ghione Impresores S

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2008 vol. XIX p. 159 - 175

Diseases caused by Flavivirus (Flaviviridae) have recently been emerging and reemerging worldwide. Argentina has been facing the reemergence of Dengue and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and the emergence of West Nile virus. WIth the aim to monitor flavivirus  activity in Córdoba city, adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps and tested for virus isolation. Free ranging birds were collected using mist nets and bled by brachial puncture to detect SLEV neutralizing antibodies. The abundant mosquito species were Cx. quinquefasciatus (58.33%), Cx. interfor (19.04%), Oc. albifasciatus (9.51%) and Ae. aegypti (4.37%). Mosquitoes populations had two peaks each year, February and March (2004) and December and March (2005). Infection rates between 2004-2005 were different in Columbina picui (torcacita p=0.003), Furnarius ruffus (hornero p=0.006), Machetornis rixosus (picabuey; p=0.017), Pitangus sulphuratus (benteveo; p=0.000) y Zenaida auriculata (torcaza; p=0.021). The serological data indicate SLEV circulated in Cordoba city in birds community between 2004-2005, accordingly with the SLEV human encephalitis outbreak. Bird species belonging to Columbidae, Furnariidae, Tyrannidae would be important avian host reservoirs for this virus. Two gentoype III SLEV strains were isolated from Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes pool collected in Cordoba (February 2005). The reasons for the reemergence of the SLEV genotype III in Argentina, 26 years afters its last detection, are still unknown. New flavivirus related to Cell Fusing Agent and Kamiti River virus were detected in Ae. aegypti and Ma. titillans mosquitoes species in Cordoba city. This is the first report of these viruses activity for South America. Little is know about these viruses, likely they have no medical importance since they are no replicate in mmamal cells.Keywords: St. Louis encephalitis virus - avian host - Fell Fusing Agent - Kamiti River virus - Cx. quinquefasciatus.