Serological evidence of human hantavirus infections in Guinea, West Africa

J Infect Dis. 2010 Apr 1;201(7):1031-4. doi: 10.1086/651169.

Abstract

We recently discovered a novel hantavirus, Sangassou virus, in Guinea, West Africa. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays followed by confirmatory and serotyping assays, we retrospectively detected hantavirus antibodies in 3 (4.4%) of 68 patients with fever of unknown origin in Sangassou village, Forest Guinea. A population-based survey in Forest Guinea (n = 649) found the prevalence of hantavirus antibodies to be 1.2%. Specific neutralizing antibodies against Sangassou virus were demonstrated in serum samples from 2 patients and in 2 serum samples of the serosurvey. Our data allow us to conclude that hantavirus infections may be a significant unrecognized medical problem in at least this part of Africa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Child
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Guinea / epidemiology
  • Hantavirus Infections / blood*
  • Hantavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Hantavirus Infections / immunology
  • Hantavirus Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Male
  • Orthohantavirus / immunology
  • Orthohantavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M