Is West Nile virus a potential cause of central nervous system infection in Brazil?

Abstract

Meningitis and encephalitis are complications of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Although WNV is endemic in North America, the virus has recently been reported in Colombia and Argentina. Investigation of WNV in Brazil is important since this virus has never been studied previously in this country. Objective: To investigate the presence of WNV infection in viral encephalitis/meningitis cases of unknown etiology in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Method: Thirty-seven adults with viral meningitis/encephalitis had their serum and CSF tested for WNV antibodies using the ELISA method. results: Only one case was WNVpositive, but this case was also positive for dengue. The plaque reduction neutralization test distinguished infections, and was negative for WNV. conclusion: WNV can be confused with dengue infection. Their symptoms and neurological picture are similar. We did not find WNV in any patients with encephalitis and meningitis in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Up to now, it has not been detected in Brazil.

The Global Ecology and Epidemiology of West Nile Virus

“…WNV seropositivity was also reported in an equine sample collected in 2009 in Paraiba state in northeastern Brazil [ 313 ]. However, WNV has not yet been associated with human or equine illness in Brazil [ 314 ].…”

West Nile Virus Encephalitis: The First Human Case Recorded in Brazil

“…E-mail: macsvieira@superig.com.br several other viral infections of the central nervous system, and 3) the limitations in the availability of diagnostic resources in most Brazilian hospitals. 2,4,[11][12][13] Since the detection of this first human case of WNV encephalitis in Brazil, strategies for a prospective approach to new cases are being implemented. Preliminary serologic studies performed among chickens and equines on the patient's farm showed the presence of specific antibodies against WNV confirmed by PRNT 90 .…”

West Nile virus and its theories, a big puzzle in Mexico and Latin America

“…The last report from South America came from Brazil, where neutralizing antibodies against the virus were found in horses in 2009 and in birds in 2010,[3536] nevertheless no human cases were found after a screening of patients that year. [37] For some reason, there are no reports in several countries from Central and South America and also for some Caribbean Islands; although, all have the variables that could favor the circulation of the virus. There are also reports of WNV circulation in neighboring countries.…”