First serologic evidence of human hantavirus infection in Alagoas State in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is rare in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Prospective surveillance was conducted over a two-year period in Alagoas State, Northeastern Brazil. The prevalence of anti-hantavirus N-antigen IgM and IgG in human serum samples was determine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Main Authors: José Alfredo dos Santos-Júnior, Flávio Martins dos Santos, Patrícia Alves Barros, Nedja Poliane Torres Medeiros, Gilberto Sabino-Santos Júnior, Magliones Carneiro de Lima, Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo, Alessandra Abel Borges
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0117-2017
https://doaj.org/article/c3753e4e38c145ca8b6a7dbb8f694009
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Summary:Abstract INTRODUCTION: Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is rare in Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Prospective surveillance was conducted over a two-year period in Alagoas State, Northeastern Brazil. The prevalence of anti-hantavirus N-antigen IgM and IgG in human serum samples was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing. RESULTS: High avidity IgG was found in nine of 476 serum samples tested (from 102 patients with clinical manifestations compatible with HCPS, 124 patients with leptospirosis, and 250 healthy rural workers). CONCLUSIONS: Serologic evidence of past hantavirus infection in residents of Alagoas State indicates that hantaviruses are present in northeastern Brazil, even in areas silent for HCPS.