Arbovirus research on horses (Equus caballus)

• Grant number: 17/23463-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rahal
• Grantee: Rafael Cesário Beltrão
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Arboviruses are viruses that use hematophagous arthropod vectors to be disseminated. Often are present in urban and sylvatic cycles. The main vectors are mosquitoes and ticks, and both present ecological characteristics that facilitate survival in tropical environments. Brazil besides being a tropical country, also has large areas devastated and an urbanization process with lack of infrastructure as lack of piped water, sanitation and garbage collection, which facilitates the reproduction of the vectors. The high population density of the cities and the efficiency of transport vehicles for long distances, helps the rapid dispersal of vectors, and consequently the viruses that infect them, throughout the country. Several animal species may participate in the urban cycle, with potential to become viral reservoirs. An example are the horses (Equus caballus), that can be infected by a wide list of Arboviruses that can infect humans as well. The region of São José do Rio Preto-SP, presents large amount of vectors and features outbreaks of many Arbovirosis such as DENV, ZIKV. The region is densely populated, with agricultural importance where horses are used for both economic activities and for sport and leisure. Evaluating the role of horses as potential hosts of emerging arbovirus is of extreme importance to public health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of Arboviruses of genus Alphavirus and Flavivirus in blood samples from horses of the region of São José do Rio Preto-SP. (AU)