Endemic Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis in Northern Peru

Patricia V. Aguilar, Ivorlyne P. Greene, Lark L. Coffey, Gladys Medina, Abelardo C. Moncayo, Michael Anishchenko, George V. Ludwig, Michael J. Turell, Monica L. O'Guinn, John Lee, Robert B. Tesh, Douglas M. Watts, Kevin L. Russell, Christine Hice, Stephen Yanoviak, Amy C. Morrison, Terry A. Klein, David J. Dohm, Hilda Guzman, Amelia P.A. Travassos Da RosaCarolina Guevara, Tadeusz Kochel, James Olson, Cesar Cabezas, Scott C. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) was isolated in Peru in 1942, >70 isolates have been obtained from mosquitoes, humans, and sylvatic mammals primarily in the Amazon region. To investigate genetic relationships among the Peru VEEV isolates and between the Peru isolates and other VEEV strains, a fragment of the PE2 gene was amplified and analyzed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism. Representatives of seven genotypes underwent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The results identified four VEE complex lineages that cocirculate in the Amazon region: subtypes ID (Panama and Colombia/Venezuela genotypes), IIIC, and a new, proposed subtype IIID, which was isolated from a febrile human, mosquitoes, and spiny rats. Both ID lineages and the IIID subtype are associated with febrile human illness. Most of the subtype ID isolates belonged to the Panama genotype, but the Colombia/Venezuela genotype, which is phylogenetically related to epizootic strains, also continues to circulate in the Amazon basin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)880-888
Number of pages9
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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