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Molina-Hoyos K, Montoya-Ruíz C, Aguilar PV, Pérez-Doria A, Díaz FJ, Rodas JD. Virome analyses of Amblyomma cajennense and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks collected in Colombia. Acta Trop 2024; 253:107158. [PMID: 38402921 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne viruses (TBV) have gained public health relevance in recent years due to the recognition of human-associated fatal cases and the increase in tick-borne disease and transmission. However, many tick species have not been studied for their potential to transmit pathogenic viruses, especially those found in Latin America. To gain better understanding of the tick virome, we conducted targeted amplification using broadly-reactive consensus-degenerate pan-viral targeting viruses from the genera Flavivirus, Bandavirus, Uukuvirus, and Orthonairovirus genus. Additionally, we conducted unbiased metagenomic analyses to investigate the presence of viral RNA sequences in Amblyomma cajennense, A. patinoi and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks collected from a horse slaughter plant in Medellín, Colombia. While no viral products were detected by PCR, results of the metagenomic analyses revealed the presence of viral genomes belonging to the genera Phlebovirus, Bandavirus, and Uukuvirus, including Lihan Tick Virus (LTV), which was previously reported in Rhipicephalus microplus from Colombia. Overall, the results emphasized the enormous utility of the next-generation sequencing in identifying virus genetic diversity presents in ticks and other species of vectors and reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katterine Molina-Hoyos
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carolina Montoya-Ruíz
- Grupo de investigación en Biotecnología Animal, Global Health Institute One-Health Colombia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Patricia V Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | | | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan D Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Quintero-Vélez JC, Rodas JD, Rojas CA, Ko AI, Wunder EA. Leptospira Infection in Rural Areas of Urabá Region, Colombia: A Prospective Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1267-1277. [PMID: 36375452 PMCID: PMC9768283 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to analyze the eco-epidemiological aspects of Leptospira seroprevalence and seroincidence and its associated factors in two municipalities of northwest Colombia. A prospective study was performed in rural areas of Urabá, Antioquia, Colombia. The study enrolled 597 people between November 2015 and January 2016, of which 274 were followed up 1 year later. Serologic testing was performed by a microscopic agglutination. The outcomes were seroprevalent and seroincident cases, and the primary exposure was an outdoor occupation. A binary and mixed-effect multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate factors associated with seroprevalent or seroincident cases of Leptospira infection. The overall Leptospira seroprevalence was 27.81% (95% confidence interval: 23.62-32.49), and the overall cumulative seroincidence for Leptospira was 14.60% (95% confidence interval: 10.33-20.23). Multivariable analysis showed that factors associated with L. interrogans serogroups seropositivity were outdoor occupation, male gender, older age, the presence of dirt floor in the household, and the presence of piglets and opossums. It also showed that factors associated with other Leptospira species serogroups were the presence of pit latrines and of turkeys. In addition, the multivariable model of seroincident cases of L. interrogans serogroups evidenced outdoor occupations, the presence of rats, and corn cultivation as risk factors. Likewise, the multivariable model for seroincident cases of other Leptospira species showed that the presence of hunting canines and cassava cultivation were risk factors. We found specific factors associated with the transmission of Leptospira serogroups contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of Leptospira infection in rural areas of Urabá, Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Quintero-Vélez
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan D. Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Rojas
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Albert I. Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elsio A. Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
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Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Paternina LE, Labruna MB, Rodas JD. Presence of two species of the Amblyomma cajennense complex (Acari: Ixodidae) and probable zones of sympatry in northwestern Colombia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101815. [PMID: 34461396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The A. cajennense tick complex has been thought to be the main vector of Rickettsia rickettsii in Central and South America. Studies in Colombia have determined the presence of species A. patinoi and A. mixtum of the A. cajennense complex, but it is unknown which species of this complex exist in northwestern Colombia. Our aim was to identify the species of the A. cajennense complex that are present in northwestern Colombia. We sampled ticks of A. cajennense sensu lato infesting equids. Females identified according to the morphology of their genital pore were selected for genetic confirmation. Specimens from each locality were selected to perform molecular and genetic analysis. Specimens were analyzed from five departments (Antioquia, Bolívar, Córdoba, Magdalena, and Sucre). Morphologically 65 specimens were identified as A. patinoi and 5 as A. mixtum. Molecular analysis allowed to confirm the morphological identification of 27 specimens. In this study A. patinoi was widely distributed in the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, and Córdoba with allopatric and sympatric distribution in some places. These two species in the region could have unexpected effects on the epidemiology of rickettsiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis E Paternina
- Biomedical Research Group, University of Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juan D Rodas
- Research Group in Veterinary Sciences Centauro, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Quintero-Vélez JC, Cienfuegos-Gallet AV, Quintero LO, Úsuga AF, Cifuentes S, Solari S, Rodas JD, Diaz FJ, Rojas CA. Epidemiology of Rickettsial Infection in the Municipality of Uramita, Colombia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:1013-1023. [PMID: 34370699 PMCID: PMC8592147 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0104] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze epidemiological indicators related to seroprevalent and seroincident cases of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and to identify housing conditions related to tick infestation. A prospective study (2016-2018) was conducted to examine rickettsial seropositivity in humans, domestic animals, and wild mammals in the municipality of Uramita, Antioquia, Colombia, where a previous Rickettsia rickettsii outbreak was reported from 2014 to 2015. The seroprevalence and its associated factors were estimated at baseline, and the seroincidence and its risk factors for humans were estimated 20 months later. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the housing conditions linked to tick infestation. The SFGR seroprevalence was 26.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.79-31.37), and the factors associated with SFGR seropositivity were male sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [PRa], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.19-2.32), age (evaluated in 5-year increments) (PRa, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09), and household proximity (PRascattered vs. very near=3.87; 95% CI, 1.12-8.66). The overall seroincidence was 7.40% (95% CI, 4.71-11.06), and the factors associated with SFGR seroincident cases were the presence of wild animals (adjusted relative risk [RRa], 2.46; 95% CI, 1.06-4.72) and the presence of trees in the peri-domiciliary area (RRa, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23-0.94). The prevalence of house tick infestation was 27.81% (95% CI, 21.93-34.80), and the factors associated with infestation were dirt floors (PRa, 5.88; 95% CI, 2.28-10.31), fiber cement roofs (PRa, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.07-2.83), and the presence of canines in peri-domiciliary or intra-domiciliary areas (PRa, 5.05; 95% CI, 3.31-7.19). Seropositivity rates for canines and opossums were 35.62% (26/73) and 100% (6/6), respectively. Identification of these factors will help to implement efficient surveillance programs in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Quintero-Vélez
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Andrés F. Úsuga
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Juan D. Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Francisco J. Diaz
- Grupo de Investigación Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Rojas
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
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Arboleda M, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Ávila A, Ospina D, Díaz FJ, Walker DH, Rodas JD. Human Rickettsiosis Caused by Rickettsia parkeri Strain Atlantic Rainforest, Urabá, Colombia. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:3048-3050. [PMID: 33219809 PMCID: PMC7706929 DOI: 10.3201/eid2612.200388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the clinical, serologic, and molecular findings of a new human rickettsiosis in Colombia. Antibodies against Rickettsia spp. were detected. PCR showed amplification of genes for R. parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest. This new rickettsiosis of minor virulence could explain some of the undifferentiated acute febrile diseases in Colombia.
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Londoño AF, Arango-Ferreira C, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Paternina LE, Montes C, Ruiz I, Labruna MB, Díaz FJ, Walker DH, Rodas JD. A Cluster of Cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in an Area Of Colombia Not Known to be Endemic for This Disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 101:336-342. [PMID: 31162015 PMCID: PMC6685563 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) has been reported in Colombia since 1937. Most recent outbreaks were in 2006-2008, followed by the absence of recognized cases. This report describes new clinical cases of RMSF and epidemiologic investigations. Medical records were reviewed, and fieldwork, serological and molecular diagnostic testing, and bacterial isolation were performed. Fever, hypotension, abdominal discomfort, and rash accompanied by thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were the most characteristic manifestations. Two convalescent sera from the index case and sera from two dogs revealed high anti-spotted fever group Rickettsia antibody titers. Rickettsia rickettsii was isolated from case 4. Cases 2 and 3 were identified by epidemiological connection with the index case. Thus, a new cluster of cases of RMSF was identified in Antioquia, Colombia, with the occurrence of fatal cases, which indicates the active circulation of the bacteria and a potential risk for the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F. Londoño
- Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Catalina Arango-Ferreira
- Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Hospital San Vicente Fundación, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Carlos Montes
- Gobernación de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Iván Ruiz
- Gobernación de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Juan D. Rodas
- Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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Contreras V, F. Londoño A, Miranda J, Mattar S, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, J. Diaz F, Rodas JD. Infection by Rickettsia felis in Ctenocephalides felis felis Fleas from North of Colombia. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.18502/jad.v13i1.927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rickettsia felis is an emergent Rickettsial agent whose main vector is Ctenocephalides felis, but ticks, mites and lice are also infected. We aimed to search for molecular evidence of Rickettsia spp. in fleas collected from dogs and wild rodents (Heteromys anomalous) from three villages of Córdoba and Antioquia provinces (Northern of Colombia), where outbreaks of rickettsioses have occurred, and discuss the possible role of fleas on endemic/enzootic regions for rickettsia.
Methods: During 2010 and 2012, 649 Ctenocephalides felis felis and 24 Pulex irritans fleas were removed from dogs and wild rodents (Heteromys anomalous), respectively, in 3 locations from Córdoba and Antioquia provinces (Colombia). These fleas were tested into pools for Rickettsial infection by PCR, targeting gltA, ompB, and ompA Rickettsial genes.
Results: Almost 20% (30/153) of C. felis felis pools contained Rickettsial DNA. The fragments of ompB gene showed high identity values between sequences from Necocli and Los Cordobas with R. felis strain from Senegal (100% and 99.7% respectively) and all were highly related by phylogenetic analyses. Rickettsial DNA in pools of P. irritans was not detected.
Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the endemicity of the infection by R. felis in fleas from northern of Colombia and showed the likely importance of dogs as hosts of C. felis felis fleas and their potential role as reservoirs of R. felis.
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Contreras V, Londoño AF, Miranda J, Mattar S, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Diaz FJ, Rodas JD. Infection by Rickettsia felis in Ctenocephalides felis felis Fleas from North of Colombia. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2019; 13:1-8. [PMID: 31346530 PMCID: PMC6643012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia felis is an emergent Rickettsial agent whose main vector is Ctenocephalides felis, but ticks, mites and lice are also infected. We aimed to search for molecular evidence of Rickettsia spp. in fleas collected from dogs and wild rodents (Heteromys anomalous) from three villages of Córdoba and Antioquia provinces (Northern of Colombia), where outbreaks of rickettsioses have occurred, and discuss the possible role of fleas on endemic/enzootic regions for rickettsia. METHODS During 2010 and 2012, 649 Ctenocephalides felis felis and 24 Pulex irritans fleas were removed from dogs and wild rodents (Heteromys anomalous), respectively, in 3 locations from Córdoba and Antioquia provinces (Colombia). These fleas were tested into pools for Rickettsial infection by PCR, targeting gltA, ompB, and ompA Rickettsial genes. RESULTS Almost 20% (30/153) of C. felis felis pools contained Rickettsial DNA. The fragments of ompB gene showed high identity values between sequences from Necocli and Los Cordobas with R. felis strain from Senegal (100% and 99.7% respectively) and all were highly related by phylogenetic analyses. Rickettsial DNA in pools of P. irritans was not detected. CONCLUSION Our findings highlighted the endemicity of the infection by R. felis in fleas from northern of Colombia and showed the likely importance of dogs as hosts of C. felis felis fleas and their potential role as reservoirs of R. felis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Contreras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Andrés F. Londoño
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Jorge Miranda
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Salim Mattar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Colombia,Corresponding author: Dr Salim Máttar, E-mail:
| | | | | | - Juan D. Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
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Pérez Pérez JC, Montoya Ruiz C, Arroyave Sierra E, Paternina LE, Rodas JD. Design and analytical validation of a duplex PCR for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia detection in ticks. REV COLOMB CIENC PEC 2018. [DOI: 10.17533/udea.rccp.v31n4a05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Londoño AF, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Marín D, Contreras V, Díaz FJ, Valbuena G, Labruna MB, Hidalgo M, Arboleda M, Mattar S, Solari S, Rodas JD. Wild and domestic animals likely involved in rickettsial endemic zones of Northwestern Colombia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:887-894. [PMID: 28774495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Between 2006 and 2008, three outbreaks of human rickettsiosis occurred in Northwestern Colombia (municipalities of Necoclí, Los Córdobas and Turbo), with case fatality rates between 27% and 54%. The aim of this study was to determine previous exposure of wild and domestic animals to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae through serological tests, to detect rickettsial evidence in their ectoparasites, and to analyze their possible role in the epidemiology of rickettsial diseases in this zone of the country. A cross-sectional association study was performed from 2010 to 2011. Blood and ectoparasite samples were collected from domestic animals and small mammals. A statistically significant association (p<0.05) between seropositive animals and the study zones was observed. A total of 2937 ticks, 672 fleas and 74 lice were collected and tested in pools by PCR. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of the positive pools was 5% in ticks, 4% in fleas, and 0% in lice. Phylogenetic analyses showed circulation of three 4.Rickettsia species: R. felis in fleas, and R. bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest, both in Amblyomma ovale ticks. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in domestic, synanthropic and wild animals, and suggests the use of equines and canines as good sentinels of infection, in the study zone. We speculate that a transmission cycle exist involving rodents in the areas where these outbreaks have occurred. Tomes' spiny rats (Proechimys semispinosus) and common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) could be good candidates as amplifier hosts for SFG rickettsiae in enzootic/endemic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Londoño
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A; Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Leidy Y Acevedo-Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A; Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diana Marín
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Verónica Contreras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gustavo Valbuena
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Arboleda
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, ICMT - CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Salim Mattar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia
| | - Sergio Solari
- Instituto de Biología, Grupo de Mastozoología, Colección Teriológica de la Universidad de Antioquia, CTUA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan D Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A; Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
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Londoño AF, Acevedo-Gutiérrez LY, Marín D, Contreras V, Díaz FJ, Valbuena G, Labruna MB, Hidalgo M, Arboleda M, Mattar S, Solari S, Rodas JD. Human prevalence of the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in endemic zones of Northwestern Colombia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:477-482. [PMID: 28223058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In February 2006, an outbreak of human rickettsiosis occurred in the municipality of Necoclí Colombia, with 35% of lethality. This episode was, followed by two more, one in the municipality of Los Cordobas in 2007 with a 54% of lethality and the other one in the municipality of Turbo in 2008 with 27% of lethality. The aim of this study was to perform serological tests in healthy persons to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and develop a survey to study some infection risk-related factors. A cross-sectional study was performed in 2011 and 2012. A blood sample and survey of associated factors was performed in healthy persons. A prevalence of 32%-41% was found in healthy people. From the multivariate analysis, we found that people living more than 16 years in these sites had a 79% higher risk of being seropositive and a 46% higher risk when they reported having birds in their houses if the variable of having a horse was included in the model. In conclusion, this study shows endemicity of at least one spotted fever group Rickettsia in the study zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Londoño
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Leidy Y Acevedo-Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diana Marín
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Verónica Contreras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gustavo Valbuena
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Arboleda
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, ICMT - CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Salim Mattar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia
| | - Sergio Solari
- Instituto de Biología, Grupo de Mastozoología, Colección Teriológica de la Universidad de Antioquia, CTUA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan D Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia U de A, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
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Restrepo B, Rodas JD, Montoya-Ruiz C, Zuluaga AM, Parra-Henao G, Agudelo-Flórez P. Evidencia serológica retrospectiva de infecciones por Leptospira spp., dengue, hantavirus y arenavirus en indígenas Emberá-Katío, Colombia. Rev Chilena Infectol 2016; 33:472-473. [DOI: 10.4067/s0716-10182016000400015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Rodas JD, Kautz T, Camacho E, Paternina L, Guzmán H, Díaz FJ, Blanco P, Tesh R, Weaver SC. Genetic Characterization of Northwestern Colombian Chikungunya Virus Strains from the 2014-2015 Epidemic. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:639-46. [PMID: 27430542 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya fever, an acute and often chronic arthralgic disease caused by the mosquito-borne alphavirus, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), spread into the Americas in late 2013. Since then it has caused epidemics in nearly all New World countries, the second largest being Colombia with over 450,000 suspected cases beginning in September, 2014, and focused in Bolivar Department in the north. We examined 32 human sera from suspected cases, including diverse age groups and both genders, and sequenced the CHIKV envelope glycoprotein genes, known determinants of vector host range. As expected for Asian lineage CHIKV strains, these isolates lacked known Aedes albopictus-adaptive mutations. All the Colombian strains were closely related to those from the Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, consistent with a single, point-source introduction from the southeast Asia/Pacific region. Two substitutions in the E2 and E1 envelope glycoprotein genes were found in the Colombian strains, especially E1-K211E involving a residue shown previously to affect epistatically the penetrance of the E1-A226V A. albopictus-adaptive substitution. We also identified two amino acid substitutions unique to all American CHIKV sequences: E2-V368A and 6K-L20M. Only one codon, 6K-47, had a high nonsynonymous substitution rate suggesting positive selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rodas
- Grupo Centauro, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Tiffany Kautz
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Erwin Camacho
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Luis Paternina
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Hilda Guzmán
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo de Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Pedro Blanco
- Grupo de Investigaciónes Biomédicas, Universidad de Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - Robert Tesh
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Ramírez-Hernández A, Forero-Becerra E, Cortés-Vecino JA, Escandón P, Rodas JD, Palomar AM, Portillo A, Oteo JA, Hidalgo M. Molecular Evidence of Different Rickettsia Species in Villeta, Colombia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:85-7. [PMID: 26789730 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to detect and identify Rickettsia species in ticks collected in rural areas of Villeta, Colombia. Tick specimens were collected from domestic animals and walls of houses in five rural villages of Villeta town and from humans in Naranjal village (same town). Moreover, a flea collected from the same area was also processed. DNA was extracted and tested by conventional, semi-nested, and nested PCR reactions targeting rickettsial genes. In the ticks collected from humans from Naranjal village, a nymph of Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato was amplified using primers for ompA and sequenced (100% identity with "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii"). Last, three amplicons from the Ctenocephalides felis flea, corresponding to gltA, ompB, and 16S rRNA genes, showed high identity with R. felis (98.5%, 97.3%, and 99.2%, respectively) and "Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis" (99.7% and 100%, respectively). To our knowledge, these results correspond to the first molecular detection in Colombia of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" and "Ca. Rickettsia asemboensis" in fleas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jesús A Cortés-Vecino
- 2 Veterinary Parasitology Research Group, Universidad Nacional de Colombia , Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escandón
- 4 Microbiology Group, Instituto Nacional de Salud , Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan D Rodas
- 5 CENTAURO Research Group, Universidad de Antioquia , Medellin, Colombia
| | - Ana M Palomar
- 6 Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-borne Diseases , Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- 6 Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-borne Diseases , Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - José A Oteo
- 6 Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-borne Diseases , Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- 1 Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana , Bogotá, Colombia
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Montoya-Ruiz C, Diaz FJ, Rodas JD. Recent evidence of hantavirus circulation in the American tropic. Viruses 2014; 6:1274-93. [PMID: 24638203 PMCID: PMC3970150 DOI: 10.3390/v6031274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaan virus was discovered in Korea during the 1970s while other similar viruses were later reported in Asia and Europe. There was no information about hantavirus human infection in the Americas until 1993 when an outbreak was described in the United States. This event promoted new studies to find hantaviruses in the Americas. At first, many studies were conducted in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, while other Latin American countries began to report the presence of these agents towards the end of the 20th century. More than 30 hantaviruses have been reported in the Western Hemisphere with more frequent cases registered in the southern cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil). However there was an important outbreak in 2000 in Panama and some rare events have been described in Peru, Venezuela and French Guiana. Since hantaviruses have only recently emerged as a potential threat in the tropical zones of the Americas, this review compiles recent hantavirus reports in Central America, the Caribbean islands and the northern region of South America. These studies have generated the discovery of new hantaviruses and could help to anticipate the presentation of possible future outbreaks in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Montoya-Ruiz
- Grupo Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Cll 70 No. 52-21, SIU 233, Medellín, Antioquia 050010, Colombia.
| | - Francisco J Diaz
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Universidad de Antioquia, Cll 70 No. 52-21, SIU 532, Medellín, Antioquia 050010, Colombia.
| | - Juan D Rodas
- Grupo Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Cll 70 No. 52-21, SIU 233, Medellín, Antioquia 050010, Colombia.
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Arroyave E, Londoño AF, Quintero JC, Agudelo-Flórez P, Arboleda M, Díaz FJ, Rodas JD. [Etiology and epidemiological characterization of non-malarial febrile syndrome in three municipalities of Urabá (Antioquia), Colombia]. Biomedica 2013; 33 Suppl 1:99-107. [PMID: 24652254] [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] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Urabá, a region on the northern coast of Colombia, is endemic to several acute febrile illnesses of infectious origin; however, only patients with malaria may have access to quick and effective diagnosis. For this reason, many non-malarial febrile patients go without a clear etiologic diagnosis. AIM To establish the etiology and clinical signs of acute febrile non-malaria syndromes and explore some of the likely risk factors in patients originating in the municipalities of Necocli, Turbo and Apartado who exhibit these symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We obtained acute and convalescent sera from 220 non-malarial febrile patients from the rural and urban zones of Necocli, Turbo and Apartado during 2007 and 2008. Serologic tests for dengue (IgM by ELISA), leptospirosis (IgM and IgG by IFA), rickettsiosis (IgG by IFI), hanta and arenavirus (IgG by ELISA) were performed. RESULTS We found that the frequency of infection for dengue, leptospirosis, rickettsiosis and arenavirus, was 37.3%; 14.1%; 2.7% and 0.5%, respectively. There were 12 co-infection cases of leptospirosis-dengue and one of leptospirosis-rickettsiosis-dengue. Male gender and relative humidity were considered risk factors for dengue, and the beginning of clinical signs in February of 2008 was associated with the infection of dengue and leptospirosis. CONCLUSION This study confirms previous records that underline the importance of Rickettsia spp, dengue virus and Leptospira spp as causal agents of febrile syndrome in this region of Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Margarita Arboleda
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Juan D Rodas
- Grupo Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Duque BA, Aranzazu D, Agudelo-Flórez P, Londoño AF, Quiroz VH, Rodas JD. [Rattus norvegicus as an indicator of circulation of Capillaria hepatica and Taenia taeniaeformis on a groceries trade center of Medellín, Colombia]. Biomedica 2013; 32:510-8. [PMID: 23715226 DOI: 10.1590/s0120-41572012000400006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rattus norvegicus, the Norway rat, plays a pivotal role in the maintenance and spread of several zoonotic bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens of public health interest. The presence of helminthic infections near susceptible human populations can, under appropriate environmental conditions, become a risk factor for their transmission. OBJECTIVE Frequencies of infection were reported for Capillaria hepatica and larval forms of Taenia taeniaeformis in wild rats (R. norvegicus) captured in an urban area. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred and fifty-four adult specimens of R. norvegicus were collected in an urban zone of Medellín, Colombia. The livers of 54 specimens that showed macroscopic hepatic lesions during necropsy were examined by conventional histopathology. RESULTS The frequency of infestation with C. hepatica was 20.1% (51/254). Six livers (2.4%) were also positive for larvae of T. taeniaeformis. Livers infested with C. hepatica exhibited adult or juvenile parasites and oval eggs with bipolar opercula, and were associated with mild to moderate multifocal granulomatous hepatitis with leucocyte infiltrate. Granulomatous lesions and calcified residual fibroses were found with eggs but without adult parasites. Those animals with cysticerci of T. taeniaeformis showed a high frequency of hepatic cysts containing larvae as well as inflammed and fibrotic lesions. CONCLUSION Zoonotic helminths circulate at high frequency in R. norvegicus that occur in urban environments. Further research about the distribution of these parasites will determine the level of health threat they present for susceptible human and domestic animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biviana Andrea Duque
- Grupo Centauro, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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19
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Ondoño AF, Levis S, Rodas JD. [Hantavirus as important emerging agents in South America]. Biomedica 2012; 31:451-64. [PMID: 22674322 DOI: 10.1590/s0120-41572011000300018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The dawning of the 20th century was marked by the emergence of new infectious disease agents and the appearance of others previously thought controlled. Both phenomena were possibly connected with ecological disturbances that led to the recognition of a dramatic climate change, of which the effects are only now becoming noticeable. Among the variety of agents to be considered, the many new viruses stand out, not only for their numerical proliferation, but also for their genetic versatility. It is this quality that provides them dexterity for evolving new strategies and adaptations to changing environmental conditions. Recently, some of the most ubiquitous and well-publicized viral agents in the American continents have been the rodent-borne viruses, and among these are the hantaviruses, etiological agents of pulmonary syndromes. Approximately 18 hantaviruses (belonging to the family Bunyaviridae), have been discovered in South America during the last 20 years, and although most of them cause persistent infections and subclinical infections in wild rodents (particularly members of the subfamily Sigmodontinae) and humans respectively; some others might also be highly lethal for humans. The goal herein is to review the state of the art regarding general aspects of hantaviruses and the diseases they cause around the world, highlighting the most recent findings in Colombia. Finally, the many unanswered questions will be recognized and highlighted concerning clinical importance and socio-economic impact of these agents on quality of public health in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Ondoño
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias, Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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20
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Zapata JC, Pauza CD, Djavani MM, Rodas JD, Moshkoff D, Bryant J, Ateh E, Garcia C, Lukashevich IS, Salvato MS. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of macaques: a model for Lassa fever. Antiviral Res 2011; 92:125-38. [PMID: 21820469 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses such as Lassa fever virus (LASV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) are benign in their natural reservoir hosts, and can occasionally cause severe viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in non-human primates and in human beings. LCMV is considerably more benign for human beings than Lassa virus, however certain strains, like the LCMV-WE strain, can cause severe disease when the virus is delivered as a high-dose inoculum. Here we describe a rhesus macaque model for Lassa fever that employs a virulent strain of LCMV. Since LASV must be studied within Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) facilities, the LCMV-infected macaque model has the advantage that it can be used at BSL-3. LCMV-induced disease is rarely as severe as other VHF, but it is similar in cases where vascular leakage leads to lethal systemic failure. The LCMV-infected macaque has been valuable for describing the course of disease with differing viral strains, doses and routes of infection. By monitoring system-wide changes in physiology and gene expression in a controlled experimental setting, it is possible to identify events that are pathognomonic for developing VHF and potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Zapata
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
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Londoño AF, Díaz FJ, Agudelo-Flórez P, Levis S, Rodas JD. Genetic evidence of hantavirus infections in wild rodents from northwestern Colombia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:701-8. [PMID: 21284514 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This report builds on recent serological evidence for the presence of hantavirus in northern Colombia by providing sequence-specific and phylogenetic data of hantavirus infections in wild rodents. From August 2007 to August 2008, 354 rodent specimens representing four families were collected in the northwestern Antioquia region of Colombia. Antibodies reactive to Sin Nombre virus and Maciel virus antigens by IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were found in 15 of 109 (14%) Cherries cane rats (Zygodontomys cherriei), the only sigmodontinae rodents captured. Lung tissue samples from 11 of the 15 seropositive rodents were RT-polymerase chain reaction positive for hantavirus RNA, using primers for the S and M genome segments. Eight of these amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses indicated RNA of a hantavirus closely related to Calabazo virus, previously found in Panama. This is the first report of the genetic characterization of a hantavirus in rodents in Colombia.
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Agudelo-Flórez P, Arango JC, Merizalde E, Londoño AF, Quiroz VH, Rodas JD. [Serological evidence of Leptospira spp circulation in naturally-exposed rats (Rattusnorvegicus) in a Colombian urban area]. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2010; 12:990-999. [PMID: 22030686] [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] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assessing the frequency of antibodies directed against pathogenic Leptospira species found in natural reservoirs for establishing evidence of their potential role in the environmental dispersion of Leptospira and consequent dissemination of the infection to humans as well as to other susceptible species. MATERIAL AND METHODS A survey was carried out in the Plaza Minorista from August 2006 to April 2007 in which 254 rats (Rattusnorvegicus) were captured. Blood was obtained from these rodents by cardiac puncture and the resulting serum was used for microagglutination tests. RESULTS Serological analysis for verifying Leptospira spp circulating serovars resulted in 64 rodents (25.2 %;19.5-30.1 95 %CI) having positive antibody titres for at least 11 of the serovars tested. CONCLUSIONS Frequency data regarding the antibodies so detected showed that the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar was not the only one possibly associated with this reservoir species, but also with others such as the Grippothyphosa and Canícolaserovars. The study determined the frequency of antibodies against pathogenic Leptospira species for reservoirs from an urban area in Colombia. This data is relevant for public health authorities and might constitute the basis for implementing appropriate control campaigns for this area of the country and, likewise, this work could serve as a model for similar studies in other Colombian cities.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Over 100 years viruses have fascinated scientists around the world. Although biologists, chemists, physicians, veterinarians, and even physicists attempted to elucidate the nature of viruses, the question still remains "Are viruses alive?" Different theories have aimed at unifying our views of virology to provide an answer. However, the discovery of a mimivirus, its genome organization and replication cycle, in addition to the recently found virophage challenged the established frontier between viruses and parasitic cellular organisms. Consequently, the old controversy whether viruses are inert agents at the threshold of life or a different form of life was reignited. This review reopens the debate about the living nature of viruses from the classical concepts to the recent discoveries in order to rationally discuss our beliefs about the living or non-living character of viruses. KEYWORDS filterable agent; mimivirus; virophage.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ruiz-Saenz
- Grupo de Microbiología y Epidemiología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá, Carrera 30 No. 45-03 Edificio 561B, Colombia.
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Rodas JD, Cairo C, Djavani M, Zapata JC, Ruckwardt T, Bryant J, Pauza CD, Lukashevich IS, Salvato MS. Circulating natural killer and gammadelta T cells decrease soon after infection of rhesus macaques with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 104:583-91. [PMID: 19722081 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000400009] [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] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 05/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhesus macaques infected with the WE strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-WE) serve as a model for human infection with Lassa fever virus. To identify the earliest events of acute infection, rhesus macaques were monitored immediately after lethal infection for changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Changes in CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD20 subsets did not vary outside the normal fluctuations of these blood cell populations; however, natural killer (NK) and gammadelta T cells increased slightly on day 1 and then decreased significantly after two days. The NK subsets responsible for the decrease were primarily CD3-CD8+ or CD3-CD16+ and not the NKT (primarily CD3+CD56+) subset. Macaques infected with a non-virulent arenavirus, LCMV-Armstrong, showed a similar drop in circulating NK and gammadelta T cells, indicating that this is not a pathogenic event. V(3)9 T cells, representing the majority of circulating gammadelta T cells in rhesus macaques, displayed significant apoptosis when incubated with LCMV in cell culture; however, the low amount of cell death for virus-co-cultured NK cells was insufficient to account for the observed disappearance of this subset. Our observations in primates are similar to those seen in LCMV-infected mice, where decreased circulating NK cells were attributed to margination and cell death. Thus, the disappearance of these cells during acute hemorrhagic fever in rhesus macaques may be a cytokine-induced lymphopenia common to many virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rodas
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Agudelo-Flórez P, Londoño AF, Quiroz VH, Angel JC, Moreno N, Loaiza ET, Muñoz LF, Rodas JD. Prevalence of Leptospira spp. in urban rodents from a groceries trade center of Medellin, Colombia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009; 81:906-10. [PMID: 19861630 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2009.09-0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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
Leptospirosis is a widely distributed zoonosis, and rats are its most common source of infection. Our goal was to determine the frequency for Leptospira infection in rodents in a farmers market in the city of Medellin. We performed a descriptive transversal study sampling 254 rodents. Rodents were bled and killed, and kidneys samples were taken. Supernatants of macerated kidneys were cultured on Fletcher medium. Microagglutination tests (MATs) with 11 serovars were also carried out in rat serum, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for pathogenic species was used to test each bacterial culture. All animals were identified as Rattus norvegicus; 25% and 20% were positive by MAT and culture, respectively. PCR tests of 12 isolates were positive for pathogenic serovars, and 4 of them were confirmed as L. interrogans by sequencing. These data show the role of this natural carrier and shedder of pathogenic leptospires in the epidemiology of urban leptospirosis in Colombia.
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Lukashevich IS, Rodas JD, Tikhonov II, Zapata JC, Yang Y, Djavani M, Salvato MS. LCMV-mediated hepatitis in rhesus macaques: WE but not ARM strain activates hepatocytes and induces liver regeneration. Arch Virol 2004; 149:2319-36. [PMID: 15338320 PMCID: PMC1361292 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-004-0385-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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] [Received: 11/28/2003] [Accepted: 06/18/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocytic chorimeningitis virus (LCMV), the prototype arenavirus, and Lassa virus (LASV), causative agent of Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF), belong to the Old World group of the family Arenaviridae. Both viruses have extensive strain diversity and significant variations in lethality and pathogenicity for man and experimental animals. We have shown that the LHF-like infection of rhesus macaques with the WE strain of LCMV affects liver functions, induces hepatocyte proliferation, and causes a rise in IL-6 and soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR) concomitant with a rise in viremia. The levels of IL-6 and sTNFR can serve as an additional diagnostic tool for liver involvement in pathogenesis of arenavirus infection. Mucosal inoculation of rhesus macaques with LCMV-WE can result in attenuated infection with a transient viremia and liver enzyme abnormalities. The ARM strain of LCMV shares 88% amino acid homology with WE. In contrast to LCMV-WE, ARM strain does not induce manifested disease in monkeys, does not affect liver functions, and does not induce hepatocyte proliferation. Previously we demonstrated that LCMV-ARM infection protected rhesus macaques challenged with LCMV-WE. Here we have shown that the protected animals have no signs of hepatitis and hepatocyte proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Lukashevich
- Biotechnology Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
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27
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Rodas JD, Lukashevich IS, Zapata JC, Cairo C, Tikhonov I, Djavani M, Pauza CD, Salvato MS. Mucosal arenavirus infection of primates can protect them from lethal hemorrhagic fever. J Med Virol 2004; 72:424-35. [PMID: 14748066 PMCID: PMC2562566 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.20000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses are transmitted from rodents to human beings by blood or mucosal exposure. The most devastating arenavirus in terms of human disease is Lassa fever virus, causing up to 300,000 annual infections in West Africa. We used a model for Lassa fever in which Rhesus macaques were infected with a related virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Our goals were to determine the outcome of infection after mucosal inoculation and later lethal challenge, to characterize protective immune responses, and to test cross-protection between a virulent (LCMV-WE) and an avirulent (LCMV-ARM) strain of virus. Although intravenous infections in the monkey model were uniformly lethal, intragastric infections recapitulated the spectrum of clinical outcomes seen in human exposure to Lassa fever virus: death, recovery from disease, and most often, subclinical infection. Plaque neutralization, ELISA, lymphocyte proliferation, and chromium-release assays were used to monitor humoral and cellular immune responses. Cross protection between the two strains was observed. The three out of seven monkeys that experienced protection were also the three with the strongest cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D. Rodas
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Juan C. Zapata
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cristiana Cairo
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ilia Tikhonov
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mahmoud Djavani
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - C. David Pauza
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Maria S. Salvato
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
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Lukashevich IS, Tikhonov I, Rodas JD, Zapata JC, Yang Y, Djavani M, Salvato MS. Arenavirus-mediated liver pathology: acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection of rhesus macaques is characterized by high-level interleukin-6 expression and hepatocyte proliferation. J Virol 2003; 77:1727-37. [PMID: 12525606 PMCID: PMC140927 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.77.3.1727-1737.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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] [Received: 07/24/2002] [Accepted: 10/22/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Lassa virus can cause hemorrhagic fever and liver disease in primates. The WE strain of LCMV (LCMV-WE) causes a fatal Lassa fever-like disease in rhesus macaques and provides a model for arenavirus pathogenesis in humans. LCMV-WE delivered intravenously or intragastrically to rhesus macaques targets hepatocytes and induces high levels of liver enzymes, interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFRI and -II) in plasma during acute infection. Proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were not detected in plasma of infected animals, but increased plasma gamma interferon was noted in fatally infected animals. Immunohistochemistry of acute liver biopsies revealed that 25 to 40% of nuclei were positive for proliferation antigen Ki-67. The increases in IL-6, sIL-6R, sTNFR, and proliferation antigen that we observe are similar to the profile of incipient liver regeneration after surgical or toxic injury (N. Fausto, Am. J. Physiol. 277:G917-G921, 1999). Although IL-6 was not directly induced by virus infection in vitro, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from acutely infected monkeys produced higher levels of IL-6 upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation than did healthy controls. Our data confirm that acute infection is associated with weak inflammatory responses in tissues and initiates a program of liver regeneration in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
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Lukashevich IS, Djavani M, Rodas JD, Zapata JC, Usborne A, Emerson C, Mitchen J, Jahrling PB, Salvato MS. Hemorrhagic fever occurs after intravenous, but not after intragastric, inoculation of rhesus macaques with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. J Med Virol 2002; 67:171-86. [PMID: 11992578 PMCID: PMC2398702 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.2206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses can cause hemorrhagic fever and death in primates and guinea pigs, but these viruses are not highly pathogenic for most rodent carriers. In the United States, arenaviruses precipitated outbreaks of hepatitis in captive monkeys, and they present an emerging health threat in the tropical areas of Africa and South America. We describe infection of rhesus macaques with the prototype arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), using the WE strain that has been known to cause both encephalopathy and multifocal hemorrhage. Five macaques were inoculated: two by the intravenous (i.v.) and three by the intragastric (i.g.) route. Whereas the two i.v.-inoculated monkeys developed signs and lesions consistent with fatal hemorrhagic fever, the i.g.-inoculated monkeys had an attenuated infection with no disease. Pathological signs of the primate i.v. infection differ significantly from guinea pig arenavirus infections and make this a superior model for human viral hemorrhagic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S. Lukashevich
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Biotech Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mahmoud Djavani
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Biotech Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Juan D. Rodas
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Biotech Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Juan C. Zapata
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Biotech Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amy Usborne
- Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Carol Emerson
- Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jacque Mitchen
- Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Maria S. Salvato
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Biotech Center, Baltimore, Maryland
- Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin
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Cheng LL, Rodas JD, Schultz KT, Christensen BM, Yuill TM, Israel BA. Potential for evolution of California serogroup bunyaviruses by genome reassortment in Aedes albopictus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1999; 60:430-8. [PMID: 10466972 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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
Aedes albopictus was introduced into the United States in used tires in 1985. Its successful colonization of the upper Midwest has potential to alter the current epidemiology of bunyaviruses that circulate in the region. It is permissive for the replication of several arboviruses, including La Crosse (LACV) and Jamestown Canyon (JCV) bunyaviruses. In this study, we demonstrate the ability of LACV and JCV to coinfect Ae. albopictus mosquitoes and to form all six possible reassortant genotypes. All reassortant viruses infect Ae. albopictus orally and can be transmitted to suckling mice. All reassortants are neurovirulent in mice. However, reassortant viruses carrying the LACV M segment in the foreign genetic background of JCV are more neuroinvasive than JCV, or any other reassortant genotype. In addition, these reassortants can replicate in gerbils and infect Ae. triseriatus, characteristics of LACV, but not JCV. Because Ae. albopictus is spreading into new geographic areas and feeds on a variety of mammals, including humans, it has the potential to transmit new, emerging bunyaviruses in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- L L Cheng
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706, USA
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