Leslie Spence

Imported Arbovirus Infections in Canada 1974-89

From 1974 to 1989, sera from symptomatic patients with histories of recent travel outside Canada were tested for antibodies to several arboviruses, principally of the alphavirus and flavivirus families. Diagnostic seroconversions were documented in 84 individuals from six provinces, including one alphavirus (Chikungunya) and 83 flavivirus seroconvertors. Dengue 1 virus was isolated from the blood of one patient. Most flavivirus seroconvertors were likely infected with dengue virus, but infections with tick-borne encephalitis, St Louis encephalitis and Powassan viruses were also recognized. Patients had histories of recent travel to the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, North America (outside Canada), Tahiti, Fiji and Europe. Possible imported infections due to Japanese encephalitis, Ross River, western equine encephalitis and Colorado tick fever viruses were also encountered.

Serological evidence of infection with California serogroup viruses (family Bunyaviridae) in residents of Long Hua, suburb of Shanghai, People's Republic of China

Sera from 126 residents of Long Hua, a suburb of Shanghai, in the Peoples Republic of China, were studied. Sera were tested for haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to alphavirus (eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis), flavivirus (St. Louis encephalitis, Powassan, dengue) and California serogroup (snowshoe hare) antigens. Flavivirus antibodies were found in 14 (11.1%) and California serogroup antibodies in 5 (3.9%) individuals. Neutralizing antibodies with highest titres to snowshoe hare virus were demonstrated in 3 of the 5 California serogroup reactors. We believe this to be the first report of California serogroup virus antibodies in Chinese residents and the first evidence to suggest that California serogroup viruses may be circulating in the Orient.