Serosurvey of Arboviruses in Free-Ranging Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in Costa Rica

J Wildl Dis. 2025 Jan 1;61(1):225-228. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-24-00082.

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of arthropod-borne viral diseases in a population of free-ranging mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in Costa Rica in 1998. Blood samples were opportunistically collected from monkeys anesthetized for another study. Serology was performed on 64 individuals to assess exposure of this population to vesicular stomatitis virus, equine encephalitis viruses, Mayaro virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, and dengue virus. The New Jersey serotype of vesicular stomatitis (VSV-NJ) was the only pathogen for which the population tested positive (44% [28/64]). This is the first report of antibodies against VSV-NJ in nonhuman primates in Costa Rica.

Keywords: Dengue; Mayaro virus; St. Louis encephalitis; equine encephalitis; vesicular stomatitis virus; yellow fever.

MeSH terms

  • Alouatta* / virology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology
  • Antibodies, Viral* / blood
  • Arbovirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Arbovirus Infections* / veterinary
  • Arboviruses* / immunology
  • Arboviruses* / isolation & purification
  • Costa Rica / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Monkey Diseases* / virology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral

Supplementary concepts

  • Alouatta palliata