Orthopoxvirus Circulation in an Endemic Area in Brazil: Investigation of Infections in Small Mammals during an Absence of Outbreaks
Iago J. S. Domingos,
Kamila L. S. Rocha,
Jessica M. Graciano,
Lara R. Almeida,
Jeffrey B. Doty,
Adriano P. Paglia,
Danilo B. Oliveira,
Yoshinori J. Nakazawa,
Giliane de S. Trindade
Affiliations
Iago J. S. Domingos
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Kamila L. S. Rocha
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Jessica M. Graciano
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Lara R. Almeida
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Jeffrey B. Doty
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Adriano P. Paglia
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Danilo B. Oliveira
Centro Integrado de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, MGC 367 Km 583, 5000, Diamantina 39100-000, Brazil
Yoshinori J. Nakazawa
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Giliane de S. Trindade
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Vaccinia virus (VACV) is the causative agent of an emerging viral zoonosis called bovine vaccinia (BV). Several studies have documented characteristics of VACV infections in Brazil; however, the manner in which this virus is maintained in wildlife remains unknown. This work investigated the presence of viral DNA and anti-orthopoxvirus (OPXV) antibodies in samples collected from small mammals in a VACV-endemic area in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the absence of current outbreaks. Samples did not show amplification of OPXV DNA in molecular tests. However, 5/142 serum samples demonstrated the presence of anti-OPXV neutralizing antibodies in serological tests. These data reinforce the involvement of small mammals in the natural cycle of VACV, highlighting the need for further ecological studies to better understand how this virus is maintained in nature and to develop measures to prevent BV outbreaks.
