Title
Prevalence and risk factors for encephalomyocarditis virus infection in Peru
Date Issued
01 April 2011
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Czechowicz J.
Huaman J.L.
Forshey B.M.
Morrison A.C.
Huaman A.
Caceda R.
Eza D.
Blair P.J.
Olson J.G.
Kochel T.J.
U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima and Iquitos, Peru
U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima and Iquitos, Peru
Abstract
Although encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection has been commonly documented among domestic animals, less is known about EMCV transmission among humans. Recently, we described the isolation of EMCV from two febrile patients in Peru. To further investigate EMCV transmission in Peru, we screened febrile patients reporting to health clinics in Peru for serological evidence of recent EMCV infection. We also conducted a serological survey for EMCV-neutralizing antibodies in the city of Iquitos, located in the Amazon basin department of Loreto, Peru. Additionally, we screened serum from rodents collected from 10 departments in Peru for evidence of EMCV exposure. EMCV infection was found to be only rarely associated with acute febrile disease in Peru, accounting for of febrile episodes analyzed. Despite the low acute disease burden associated with the virus, human exposure was quite common, as prevalence of EMCV-neutralizing antibodies ranged between 6.0% in the coastal city of Tumbes and 17% in cities in the tropical rainforest of northeastern Peru (Iquitos and Yurimaguas). On the basis of the serological survey conducted in Iquitos, risk factors for past infection include increased age, socioeconomic indicators such as residence construction materials and neighborhood, and swine ownership. Evidence from the rodent survey indicates that EMCV exposure is common among Murinae subfamily rodents in Peru (9.4% EMCV IgG positive), but less common among Sigmodontinae rodents (1.0% positive). Further studies are necessary to more precisely delineate the mode of EMCV transmission to humans, other potential disease manifestations, and the economic impact of EMCV transmission among swine in Peru. © 2011, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Start page
367
End page
374
Volume
11
Issue
4
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Epidemiología
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-79954462721
PubMed ID
Source
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
ISSN of the container
15303667
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus