Identificação de Flavivirus em aves silvestres da Amazônia Central

Abstract

The Amazon region has the highest biodiversity on the planet, as well as the largest number of arboviruses isolated, mainly due to the great diversity of species of wild vertebrates and hematophagous arthropods. Among the arboviruses, Flavivirus stand out both for producing the highest number of infections and human diseases, such as the severity of these diseases. Moreover, it is known that birds act as reservoir of some poorly studied Flavivirus, such as: Ilheus, Saint Louis Encephalits, Rocio, Cacipacoré and Bussuquara. Despite intensive studies in the brazilian amazon, especially in certain areas of the state of Para, few epidemiological information about most of these viruses were obtained. In this study, a specie of Flavivirus has been identified in whole blood samples from wild birds, captured in-situ (Alter do Chão/PA) and ex-situ (Manaus) by polymerase chain reaction preceded by reverse transcription (RT- PCR) followed by Multiplex-Nested PCR (MN-PCR) tests for species-specific identification. Among the 189 samples, 7(4,23%) were suggestive of Ilheus virus. The diagnostic technique used was effective in identifying the genus Flavivirus in samples of wild birds presenting itself as practical, fast and secure for the identification of brazilian arboviruses. The circulation of enzootic viruses both in captive and free-living birds, increase the role of birds as host in the cycles of transmission of zoonoses.