Molecular detection of Saint Louis encephalitis virus in mosquitoes in Buenos Aires

• Published in: Medicina (Buenos Aires) Vol. 74; no. 6; pp. 433 - 436
• Main Authors: Beltrán, Fernando J, Bechara, Yamila I, Guido, Guillermo G, Cicuttin, Gabriel L, Beaudoin, Juan B, Gury Dohmen, Federico E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Argentina 2014
• Subjects: Animals; Argentina; Columbidae - virology; Culex - virology; Disease Reservoirs - virology; Disease Vectors - classification; Encephalitis Virus, St. Louis - classification; Encephalitis Virus, St. Louis - isolation & purification; Encephalitis, St. Louis - transmission; Genotype; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Urban Population; Argentina; mosquitoes; Saint Louis encephalitis virus; Culex
• ISSN: 0025-7680

During March 2013 a population of eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) was established in the center of City of Buenos Aires. Considering the role of these birds as host competent for Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), a CDC light trap was put in place to perform entomologic surveillance. During this month 5 pools of mosquitoes (n = 48) were collected and taxonomically determined. Three of them were classified as Culex pipiens (n = 10) and the other two were Culex spp. (n = 38). In this case, the mosquitoes species could not be determined due to that individuals were damaged. One of the Culex spp. pool was found to be positive for Saint Louis encephalitis virus by molecular techniques. This was then sequenced and classified as genotype III.