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Survey for Antibodies Against Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Man in Argentina

Sera from 175 apparently healthy male residents of Argentina were examined by hemagglutination-inhibition test for antibodies against 34, in some cases 36, arthropod-borne viruses. The donors, mostly between 20 and 40 years old, came from three areas: Tucumán (Tucumán province), Mendoza (Mendoza province) and Junín, Rojas and adjoining localities (Buenos Aires province).

Thirty-nine sera (22.3%), representing all three areas, had antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus, due in all probability to previous exposure to this virus or to another very closely related to it antigenically. The presence of these antibodies was confirmed in neutralization tests with two strains of St. Louis virus; 14 of 16 sera with agglutination-inhibiting antibodies protected fully or partially against both strains, while of 10 sera without agglutination-inhibiting antibodies 8 and 9 gave no protection.

Six sera had antibodies for Guaroa virus and four had antibodies for Cache Valley virus. Reasons are given for considering it likely that these antibodies represent true exposure to these viruses, or to agents closely related to them. Interpretation of the occasional serum positive in low titer for Bwamba, Caraparu, dengue type 2, Guamá or California encephalitis virus is not attempted.

No antibodies were found against eastern, western and Venesuelan equine encephalitis viruses, all of which have previously been found in Argentina.

^* Permanent address: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical School, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; holder of a fellowship from the Consejo de Investigaciones Cientificos y Técnicas, Argentine Republic.