Serosurveillance of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Amphibians and Reptiles from Alabama, USA

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is among the most medically important arboviruses in North America, and studies suggest a role for amphibians and reptiles in its transmission cycle. Serum samples collected from 351 amphibians and reptiles (27 species) from Alabama, USA, were tested for the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 2012-03, Vol.86 (3), p.540-544
Main Authors:	GRAHAM, Sean P, HASSAN, Hassan K, CHAPMAN, Taryn, WHITE, Gregory, GUYER, Craig, UNNASCH, Thomas R
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Alabama - epidemiology Amphibians - virology Animals Anura Biological and medical sciences Culex Culex - virology Eastern equine encephalitis virus Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine - isolation & purification Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine - pathogenicity Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine - epidemiology Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine - transmission Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine - veterinary Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine - virology Host-Pathogen Interactions Infectious diseases Insect Vectors - virology Lacertilia Medical sciences Reptiles - virology Seasons
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Summary:	Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is among the most medically important arboviruses in North America, and studies suggest a role for amphibians and reptiles in its transmission cycle. Serum samples collected from 351 amphibians and reptiles (27 species) from Alabama, USA, were tested for the presence of antibodies against EEEV. Frogs, turtles, and lizards showed little or no seropositivity, and snakes had high seropositivity rates. Most seropositive species were preferred or abundant hosts of Culex spp. mosquitoes at Tuskegee National Forest, that target ectothermic hosts. The cottonmouth, the most abundant ectotherm sampled, displayed a high prevalence of seropositivity, indicating its possible role as an amplification and/or over-wintering reservoir for EEEV.
ISSN:	0002-9637 1476-1645