Over the past few decades, arboviruses and flaviviruses have become a significant public health concern across the globe. With their ability to spread through insect bites, these viruses have caused serious illness and mortality in humans and animals alike. Thanks to advancements in technology and ongoing research efforts, thousands of unique strains of these viruses have been identified from samples collected between 1954-2018. Understanding the diversity and characteristics of these viruses is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key findings from recent research on arboviruses and flaviviruses, shedding light on the complex nature of these elusive pathogens.
The Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC) in Brazil has been studying and isolating arboviruses for over 80 years, resulting in the classification of around 200 types of human pathogens. Arboviruses are viruses that are transmitted between vertebrate hosts and arthropods. Seven viral families of arboviruses have been shown to infect humans and animals, including the Asfaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Flaviviridae, Phenuiviridae, Sedoreoviridae, Togaviridae, and Peribunyaviridae families. The similarities in symptoms and antigenic resemblance pose difficulty in laboratory diagnosis of arbovirus infections.
Arboviruses are especially prevalent in Brazil, with neurological viruses such as West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, Rocio virus, and Zika virus being of particular interest. The Evandro Chagas Institute has developed its own Vero and C6/36 cell lines that have been used to isolate flaviviruses and alphaviruses between 1999 and 2018. Several samples were obtained from the northern and northeastern regions of the country, and around 1,347 arbovirus samples with encephalitogenic potential were isolated from mice, 639 of which were Flaviviruses and 708 were Alphaviruses.
Forest degradation and disorderly urbanization favor an increase in arbovirus vectors, leading to the emergence and re-emergence of diseases. The adaptation of arthropods in domestic settings increases the risk of emerging or re-emerging zoonotic diseases. The need to modify behaviors that could prevent disease manifestation is crucial, especially as there are no vaccines available for most arbovirus infections. Researchers at the Evandro Chagas Institute highlight the importance of developing strong preventive measures to combat arbovirus infection.
In conclusion, the identification of thousands of unique arboviruses and flaviviruses from samples collected over a span of six decades is a groundbreaking achievement in the field of virology. The sheer number and diversity of these viruses provide valuable insight into their evolution and distribution patterns. Furthermore, this collection of data provides researchers with a valuable resource that can be used to develop vaccines or treatments for potential outbreaks in the future. As our understanding of these viruses continues to grow, it’s important to continue collecting and analyzing samples to stay ahead of potential threats. Overall, this immense effort in virus characterization serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent and rigorous scientific research in preparing for future health risks.
