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Research Article

Arbovirus Antibody Seroprevalence in the Human Population from Cauca, Colombia

Juliana Gil-Mora Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia;

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L. Yoana Acevedo-Gutiérrez Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas;

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Paola L. Betancourt-Ruiz Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia;

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Heidy C. Martínez-Diaz Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia;

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Diana Fernández Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas;

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Nathen E. Bopp Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas;

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Luz A. Olaya-Másmela Universidad Libre, Cali, Colombia;

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Eliana Bolaños Secretaria de Salud Departamental, Popayán, Colombia;

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Efraín Benavides Universidad de la Salle, Bogota, Colombia;

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Alejandro Villasante-Tezanos Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Texas Medical Branch;

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Marylin Hidalgo Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia;

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Patricia V. Aguilar Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas;
Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, Texas

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.22-0120
Volume/Issue:
Volume 107: Issue 6
Page(s):
1218–1225
Restricted access
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ABSTRACT.

Several arboviruses have emerged or reemerged into the New World during the past several decades, causing outbreaks of significant proportion. In particular, the outbreaks of Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have been explosive and unpredictable, and have led to significant adverse health effects. These viruses are considered the leading cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses in Colombia. However, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is endemic in Colombia, and arboviruses such as the Mayaro virus (MAYV) and the Oropouche virus (OROV) cause febrile illnesses in neighboring countries. Yet, evidence of human exposure to MAYV and OROV in Colombia is scarce. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey study in healthy individuals from the Cauca Department in Colombia. We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against multiple arboviruses, including DENV serotype 2, CHIKV, VEEV, MAYV, and OROV. Based on serological analyses, we found that the overall seroprevalence for DENV serotype 2 was 30%, 1% for MAYV, 2.6% for CHIKV, 4.4% for VEEV, and 2% for OROV. This study provides evidence about the circulation of MAYV and OROV in Colombia, and suggests that they—along with VEEV and CHIKV—might be responsible for cases of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses that remain undiagnosed in the region. The study results also highlight the need to strengthen surveillance programs to identify outbreaks caused by these and other vector-borne pathogens.

Author Notes

Address correspondence to Marylin Hidalgo, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 7a No 43-82, Bogotá, Colombia. E-mail: hidalgo.m@javeriana.edu.co or Patricia V. Aguilar, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0609, E-mail: pvaguila@utmb.edu

Financial support: This research was supported by COLCIENCIAS (code 120374455209) and by the Fogarty International Center and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH (award no. D43 TW010331). J. G. was supported by a Young Investigator Award provided by COLCIENCIAS.

Disclosure: This cross-sectional study was approved by the institutional review board from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. The procedures performed in the enrolled participants included a general survey containing demographics, clinical, and personal information followed by venipuncture to acquire a blood sample at only one point in the study. These procedures were considered minimal risk by the review board.

Disclaimer: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Authors’ addresses: Juliana Gil-Mora, Paola L. Betancourt-Ruiz, Heidy C. Martínez-Diaz, and Marylin Hidalgo, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia, E-mails: juliana.gil@javeriana.edu.co, betancourtp@javeriana.edu.co, h-martinez@javeriana.edu.co, and hidalgo.m@javeriana.edu.co. L. Yoana Acevedo-Gutiérrez, Diana Fernández, and Nathen E. Bopp, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, E-mails: leidy.acevedo@udea.edu.co, dpfernan@utmb.edu, and nebopp@utmb.edu. Luz A. Olaya-Másmela, Universidad Libre, Cali, Colombia, E-mail: adrianaolaya26@gmail.com. Eliana Bolaños, Secretaria de Salud Departamental, Popayán, Colombia, E-mail: eliana.bolanos@cauca.gov.co. Efraín Benavides, Universidad de la Salle, Bogota, Colombia, E-mail: efbenavides@unisalle.edu.co. Alejandro Villasante-Tezanos, Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, E-mail: alvillas@utmb.edu. Patricia V. Aguilar, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, and Center for Tropical Diseases, Galveston, TX, E-mail: pvaguila@utmb.edu.

Copyright:
© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022
Received:
10 Feb 2022
|
Accepted:
18 Aug 2022
|
Published Online:
14 Nov 2022
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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