Enzootic activity of pixuna and Rio Negro viruses (Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex) in a neotropical region of Argentina.
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis complex viruses cause epidemics and epizootics periodically in some regions of the Americas. In Argentina, only enzootic Rio Negro virus (AG80-663) (RNV) has been isolated. To survey and identify activity of viruses that belong to Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis complex in a template region of the country, a generic Alphavirus RT-Nested PCR was performed in 99 mosquito pools collected in Chaco province. Five pools were positive, and amplicons were sequenced: four of them clustered with RNV(AG80-663) and one with Pixuna virus. This is the first report of the circulation of Pixuna virus in Argentina, and it confirms enzootic and endemic activity of RNV(AG80-663) in neotropical regions of this country.
Pisano
María Belén
MB
Instituto de Virología Dr. J.M.Vanella, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Ré
Viviana Elizabeth
VE
Díaz
Luis Adrián
LA
Farías
Adrián
A
Stein
Marina
M
Sanchez-Seco
María Paz
MP
Tenorio
Antonio
A
Almirón
Walter Ricardo
WR
Contigiani
Marta Silvia
MS
D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology*; D004666:Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D014329:Tropical Climate