Twenty-six years after it was last detected, Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) genotype III reemerged in 2005 in Córdoba, Argentina, where it caused an outbreak. Two genotype III SLEV strains were isolated from Culex quinquefasciatus. A 71.43% prevalence for neutralizing antibodies was found in domestic fowl in the homestead of a patient with encephalitis.

West Nile Virus in Birds, Argentina

In Argentina, the incidence of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL)

No abstract

Dengue has affected the north provinces of Argentina, mainly Salta province. The 2009 outbreak, with 5 deaths and >27,000 infected, was the most important, and the first to extend into the central area of the country. This article includes research on seasonal Aedes aegypti abundance variation in Orán City (Salta province), and determination of the date of mosquito population increase and an estimation of the date of maximum rate of increase as well as the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r), to detect the optimal time to apply vector control measures. Between September 2005 and March 2007, ovitraps were randomly distributed in the city to collect Ae. aegypti eggs. The variation observed in the number of collected eggs was described by fitting a third-degree polynomial by the least square method, allowing to determine the time when population increase began (week 1), after the temperate and dry season. Eggs were collected throughout the year, with the highest variation in abundance during the warm and rainy season, and the maximum value registered in February 2007. The rate of increase of the number of eggs laid per week peaked between weeks 9 and 10 after the beginning of the population increase (week 1). Week 1 depends on temperature, it occurs after getting over the thermal threshold and the needed accumulation of 160 degree-day is reached. Consequently, week 1 changes depending on temperature. Peak abundance of eggs during 2005-2006 was recorded on week 15 (after week 1); during 2006-2007, the peak was observed on week 22. Estimation of the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of Ae. aegypti is useful not only to determine optimal time to apply vector control measures with better cost-benefit, but also to add an insecticide control strategy against the vector to diminish the possibility of resistance.

The presence of Aedes aegypti is reported beyond its current limit of distribution in Argentina, in the city of Neuquén, Neuquén Province. Ovitraps were placed to collect Ae. aegypti eggs between December 2009 and April 2010. The geographical distribution of Culex eduardoi, Psorophora ciliata and Ps. cingulata is extended with new records from two provinces.

Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) (Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus, serogroup Bunyamwera) is considered an emerging pathogen for humans and animals in American countries. The CbaAr-426 strain of BUNV was recovered from mosquitoes Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in Córdoba province (Argentina), where serological studies detected high seroprevalences in humans and animals. Molecular detection of Orthobunyavirus was performed in mosquitoes collected in Córdoba province. Seventeen mosquito pools of Oc. albifasciatus, Ochlerotatus scapularis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) showed positive results; four of these positive pools, all of Oc. scapularis, were sequenced. All amplicons grouped with BUNV in the Bunyamwera serogroup. The findings highlight the circulation of BUNV in Córdoba province and represent the first report of BUNV-infected Oc. scapularis mosquitoes in Argentina.

RESUMEN.Dado el rol fundamental de los artrópodos y los insectos en el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas áridos, para manejar estos ambientes resulta necesario conocer su relación con las características de la vegetación local. Dentro de la región fitogeográfica del Chaco, en Los Llanos de la provincia de La Rioja, Argentina, existen grandes cambios en la vegetación en distancias cortas, lo que determina un gradiente de heterogeneidad vegetal. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la respuesta de los artrópodos epígeos a estos cambios. En este gradiente se seleccionaron 3 ambientes (Salinas, Interfaz y Monte) en los que se recolectaron artrópodos y, dentro de éstos, insectos mediante trampas de caída durante 7 días en la temporada cálida. Se determinó la abundancia total de artrópodos e insectos y la riqueza de especies/morfoespecies de insectos. Se evaluó la asociación entre los ambientes y la abundancia y riqueza de especies mediante un ANOVA de medidas repetidas. Para evaluar la completitud del muestreo se utilizaron estimadores de riqueza no-paramétricos (Chao 1 , Jackniffe 1 y Bootstrap) y curvas de acumulación de especies. Para evaluar la estructura de la comunidad se usaron curvas de rango-abundancia y análisis multivariados. Se recolectaron en total 8380 artrópodos, de los cuales 5902 fueron insectos que se agruparon en 14 órdenes, 31 superfamilias, 35 familias y 114 especies/morfoespecies. El ambiente con mayor heterogeneidad vegetal (Monte) presentó la mayor abundancia de artrópodos y la mayor abundancia y riqueza de insectos. Las familias de insectos más abundantes y de mayor riqueza fueron Formicidae (Hymenoptera) y Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera). Chao 1 y Bootstrap fueron los mejores estimadores de riqueza. En este estudio se encontró que la abundancia, la riqueza y la composición de especies de artrópodos, y particularmente insectos, estuvo asociada a un gradiente de vegetación.[Palabras clave: variabilidad, entomofauna epígea, indicadores, suelo, región chaqueña, La Rioja] ABSTRACT. Of arthropods and plants: Arthropod fauna diversity in a vegetation gradient in Los Llanos of La Rioja province (Argentina).Given the fundamental role of arthropods and insects in the functioning of arid ecosystems, it is of key importance to understand their relationships with the environment, particularly for the development of future conservation efforts. Within the phytogeographic region of Chaco, in Los Llanos (La Rioja province, Argentina), great changes in vegetation occur within short distances, determining a pronounced gradient of plant heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to analyse the response of epigaeic arthropods to these changes. In this gradient, three environments were selected (Salinas, Interface and Monte), in which we collected arthropods and insects using fall traps during seven days during the warm season. Total abundance of arthropods and insects, and richness of insect species/morpho-species were determined. The association between the environments and the abundance and richness of species wa...