RT Journal Article
T1 Ecologic, Geoclimatic, and Genomic Factors Modulating Plague Epidemics in Primary Natural Focus, Brazil
A1 Bezerra, Matheus F.
A1 Fernandes, Diego L.R.S.
A1 Rocha, Igor V.
A1 Pitta, João L.L.P.
A1 Freitas, Natan D.A.
A1 Oliveira, André L.S.
A1 Guimarães, Ricardo J.P.S.
A1 Gomes, Elainne C.S.
A1 Siliansky De Andreazzi, Cecilia
A1 Sobreira, Marise
A1 Rezende, Antonio M.
A1 Cordeiro Estrela, Pedro
A1 Almeida, Alzira M.P.
AB Plague is a deadly zoonosis that still poses a threat in many regions of the world. We combined epidemiologic, host, and vector surveillance data collected during 1961–1980 from the Araripe Plateau focus in northeastern Brazil with ecologic, geoclimatic, and Yersinia pestis genomic information to elucidate how these factors interplay in plague activity. We identified well-delimited plague hotspots showing elevated plague risk in low-altitude areas near the foothills of the plateau’s concave sectors. Those locations exhibited distinct precipitation and vegetation coverage patterns compared with the surrounding areas. We noted a seasonal effect on plague activity, and human cases linearly correlated with precipitation and rodent and flea Y. pestis positivity rates. Genomic characterization of Y. pestis strains revealed a foundational strain capable of evolving into distinct genetic variants, each linked to temporally and spatially constrained plague outbreaks. These data could identify risk areas and improve surveillance in other plague foci within the Caatinga biome.
PB GA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
SN 1080-6040
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112196
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/112196
LA eng
NO Bezerra MF, Fernandes DLRS, Rocha IV, Pitta JLLP, Freitas NDA, Oliveira ALS, Guimarães RJPS, Gomes ECS, de Andreazzi CS, Sobreira M, Rezende AM, Cordeiro-Estrela P, Almeida AMP. Ecologic, Geoclimatic, and Genomic Factors Modulating Plague Epidemics in Primary Natural Focus, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Sep;30(9):1850-1864. doi: 10.3201/eid3009.240468. PMID: 39173663; PMCID: PMC11346973.
NO This work was supported by the Inova Novos Talentos–Fiocruz/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (grant no. VPPCB-008-FIO-18-2-73 to M.F.B.) and Inova PROEP (grant no. IAM-005-FIO-22-2-2-36 to M.S.).
NO Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
DS Docta Complutense
RD 7 abr 2025