Arthropod-borne viral encephalitides in the Dominican Republic: the viral-human interface and underestimation in a region with viral circulation

Abstract

West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) are well-established viral pathogens found in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. Viral dynamics have evolved over time due to climatologic factors, vector-host interactions, and of particular importance the influx of birds through new migration patterns. The aim of this study was to review data exploring the distribution of reported human and zoonotic infections for arthropod-borne related viruses capable of inducing encephalitis in the Dominican Republic within the indexed scientific literature. Following the Cochrane review methodology, we searched keywords: “West Nile Virus” AND “Eastern Equine Encephalitis” AND “St. Louis Encephalitis” AND “Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis” each linked with “Dominican Republic” in the English and Spanish languages in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. A total of 17 articles were identified, among them eight (8) met the inclusion criteria, five (5) for WNV, three (3) for EEEV, zero (0) for VEEV and zero (0) for SLEV. After eliminating duplicates, only six (6) articles were included in the analysis. Articles reporting positive cases were published between 1950-1978 identifying EEEV and between 2003-2006 identifying WNV, in avian, mosquito, and equine populations. The first report describing EEEV in La Hispaniola occurred as a result of an outbreak in 1948. The first report for WNV in the Dominican Republic was published in 2002, where the presence of virus and antibodies were identified in migratory and residential birds in two locations within the national territory. Some discrepancies were observed between articles regarding horse positive cases. Subsequent studies were performed investigating vectors and avian populations yielding no evidence of human infections. Supplemental studies should examine the current circulation of encephalitides and their impact on humans in the Dominican Republic to enhance surveillance and disease control regarding future outbreaks in a country with one of the largest touristic industries in the Caribbean.