Seroprevalence of arenavirus and hantavirus in indigenous populations from the Caribbean, Colombia

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019 Dec 20:53:e20190132. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0132-2019. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Introduction: In Colombia, there is insufficient epidemiological surveillance of zoonotic hemorrhagic viruses.

Methods: We performed a sero-epidemiological study in indigenous populations of Wayuü, Kankuamos, and Tuchin communities using Maciel hantavirus and Junin arenavirus antigens for IgG detection by ELISA.

Results: IgG antibodies to hantavirus and arenavirus were found in 5/506 (1%) and 2/506 (0.4%) serum samples, respectively.

Conclusions: Arenavirus and hantavirus circulate in indigenous populations from the Colombian Caribbean region, and the results indicate that the indigenous populations are exposed to these zoonotic agents, with unknown consequences on their health, despite low seroprevalence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Arenaviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Arenaviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Arenavirus / immunology*
  • Colombia / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Hantavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Hantavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Indians, South American*
  • Male
  • Orthohantavirus / immunology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G