Limited IgM seroreactivity to arboviruses in free-ranging black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata)

Arboviruses are important causes of human disease, and several species also infect wild animals that may serve as amplifying hosts. Among these, yellow fever virus ( Orthoflavivirus flavi ) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neotropical primates. In addition to yellow fever virus, several other arboviruses have been reported in these animals. For example, zika virus ( Orthoflavivirus zikaense ) has been detected in free-ranging marmosets and capuchin monkeys. Antibodies against dengue virus ( Orthoflavivirus denguei ) have been identified in Alouatta spp. and Ateles spp., while Sapajus spp., Ateles marginatus , and Callithrix jacchus have been shown to develop neutralizing antibodies against chikungunya virus ( Alphavirus chikungunya ). In this study we assessed anti-arboviruses ( A. chikungunya , O. zikaense , O.Denguei , and O. flavi ) antibodies in free-ranging black-tufted marmosets ( Callithrix penicillata ) living in urban parks. Frequency of putative seroreactivity was low with 2.94% (2/68) of the captured marmosets seroreactive to A. chikungunya (IgM) and 1.47% (1/68) seroreactive to O. zikaense (IgM). One marmoset was seroreactive to both viruses ( A. chikungunya and O. zikaense ). Arboviruses genomic sequences were not detected in serum samples, but seroreactive animals were not tested by RT-PCR due to sample limitation. This study demonstrated limited evidence of putative seroreactivity of free-ranging black-tufted marmosets to arboviruses in an area where these viruses are endemic in the human population.