Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Santa Cruz, Bolivia: Outbreak Investigation and Antibody Prevalence Study

Abstract

We report the results of an investigation of a small outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in 2002 in the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where the disease had not previously been reported. Two cases were initially reported. The first case was a physician infected with Laguna Negra virus during a weekend visit to his ranch. Four other persons living on the ranch were IgM antibody-positive, two of whom were symptomatic for mild hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The second case was a migrant sugarcane worker. Although no sample remained to determine the specific infecting hantavirus, a virus 90% homologous with Río Mamoré virus was previously found in small-eared pygmy rice rats (Oligoryzomys microtis) trapped in the area. An antibody prevalence study conducted in the region as part of the outbreak investigation showed 45 (9.1%) of 494 persons to be IgG positive, illustrating that hantavirus infection is common in Santa Cruz Department. Precipitation in the months preceding the outbreak was particularly heavy in comparison to other years, suggesting a possible climatic or ecological influence on rodent populations and risk of hantavirus transmission to humans. Hantavirus infection appears to be common in the Santa Cruz Department, but more comprehensive surveillance and field studies are needed to fully understand the epidemiology and risk to humans.

Aspectos clínico-epidemiológico dos pacientes convalescentes após infecção por hantavírus em Mato grosso

“…[10][11][12][13] Os casos de cura em pessoas do sexo masculino em convalescentes por SPH descritos nesta pesquisa mostram similaridade com outros estudos que aponta para os fatores prognósticos da infecção por hantavírus e influência na resposta imune inata e adaptativa que podem contribuir na patogênese das doenças infecciosas. 6,14 O dimorfismo sexual nas infecções é discutido, pois homens e mulheres diferem na susceptibilidade a infecções e a razão para estas diferenças é multifatorial, sendo induzidas pelos hormônios sexuais e seus efeitos na expressão gênica e no sistema imune, sendo importante destacar as diferenças fisiológicas inatas entre sexos.…”

“…13 Em um estudo realizado em Santa Cruz, Bolívia, concluiu que os casos de SPH ocorreram em áreas de transição da floresta para pecuária e cultivo de cana-de-açúcar, reforçando então que essa relação próxima às áreas de transformação ambiental aumentam o risco de infecção. 10 Na Argentina, a fragmentação da paisagem nativa causada pela silvicultura e pela agricultura também favoreceu o crescimento excessivo e a distribuição mais ampla dos roedores. 13 Curiosamente, pode-se aplicar tais observações para o estado de Mato Grosso e suas áreas de cultivo, pois a vegetação e o clima equatorial do estado fornecem um excelente microambiente para a manutenção de reservatórios para roedores silvestres.…”

Andes Hantavirus Variant in Rodents, Southern Amazon Basin, Peru

“…The lack of reported human cases could mean that the frequency of infected rodents, or of human contact with them, is low; that human infection occurs but is asymptomatic or too mild to be recognized; or that HPS is misdiagnosed by clinicians who are unfamiliar with the condition and lack access to diagnostic testing. In some areas of South America, including Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile, a high prevalence of hantavirus IgG in humans has been reported, but reports of cases of HPS have been infrequent ( 14 ) . …”

Orthohantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Santa Cruz and Tarija, Bolivia, 2018

“…Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies on these infections have been performed in certain countries. In Bolivia, South America, fewer than 20 studies about hantaviruses, in any field of knowledge, have been published (Montgomery et al, 2012;Montoya-Ruiz et al, 2014). A study performed in 2002 but published in 2012 is currently the most recent available description of a hantavirus outbreak in the country (Montgomery et al, 2012).…”

“…In Bolivia, South America, fewer than 20 studies about hantaviruses, in any field of knowledge, have been published (Montgomery et al, 2012;Montoya-Ruiz et al, 2014). A study performed in 2002 but published in 2012 is currently the most recent available description of a hantavirus outbreak in the country (Montgomery et al, 2012). This study basically reported two serologically confirmed cases in the area of Santa Cruz de La Sierra (or simply, Santa Cruz), a department in the southeast area of the country close to the border with Brazil and Paraguay (Figure 1).…”