| Grant number: | 20/01632-4 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | June 01, 2020 |
| Effective date (End): | November 22, 2020 |
| Field of knowledge: | Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine |
| Principal researcher: | Benedito Antônio Lopes da Fonseca |
| Grantee: | Márcio Junio Lima Siconelli |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil |
Abstract West Nile Virus (WNV) is an emerging arbovirus, which was first detected in Northeastern Brazil in 2014. Four years later it was detected in the Southeastern region, affecting three horses. In 2019, another horse was reported in the state of Minas Gerais and the confirmation of the first human death caused by WNV in Brazil, although it was a 2017 case. The enzootic cycle is maintained between wild birds and mosquitoes, mainly of the Culex genus. Humans and horses do not have epidemiological importance in transmission, as they are considered terminal hosts and due to neurological impairment, usually die when affected. However, equidae can act as sentinel animals for early detection of the virus circulation in different regions. Due to the importance of this disease for public and animal health, the recent detection of WNV infection in the Southeastern region, the absence of well-established surveillance and the difficulty in diagnosis, this study aims to detect the possible circulation of WNV in the state of São Paulo in birds and equidae that have had any neurological signs or had an unknown death. The diagnosis will be made by molecular, histopathological and immunological techniques, recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), in order to detect the virus circulation and its extension in the state. This study may be used as a subsidy for health authorities to know the state's epidemiological status and to be able to act early in the dissemination of information and thus avoid possible human and animal cases. (AU) | |