Abstract

FERNANDEZ-SALAS, Ildefonso et al. Presence of west Nile virus in northeast Mexico. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2007, vol.49, n.3, pp. 210-217. ISSN 0036-3634.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342007000300006.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of WNV in birds, horses and humans in northeast Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 33 birds, 24 horses and 237 humans were screened by ELISA for Anti-WNV antibodies. Human serum samples were also screened for WNV RNA using an RT-PCR assay. RESULTS: Positive sera were found in three birds and 15 horses. Forty percent of the human serum samples were positive for IgG antibodies and 0% for IgM antibodies and viral RNA. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that WNV is present in northeast Mexico and it is a new emergent infectious agent that represents a challenge for research and prevention programs in Mexico.

Keywords : west nile virus; northeast Mexico; flavivirus; IgG-WNV antibodies; IgM-WNV antibodies; Mexico.