Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016
Background: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is well-known in South and North America; however, not enough data exist for the Caribbean. The first report of clinical orthohantavirus infection was obtained in Barbados, but no other evidence of clinical orthohantavirus infections among adults in th...
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/5/571 |
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| author | Kirk Osmond Douglas Thelma Alafia Samuels Rommel Iheozor-Ejiofor Olli Vapalahti Tarja Sironen Marquita Gittens-St. Hilaire |
| author_facet | Kirk Osmond Douglas Thelma Alafia Samuels Rommel Iheozor-Ejiofor Olli Vapalahti Tarja Sironen Marquita Gittens-St. Hilaire |
| author_sort | Kirk Osmond Douglas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is well-known in South and North America; however, not enough data exist for the Caribbean. The first report of clinical orthohantavirus infection was obtained in Barbados, but no other evidence of clinical orthohantavirus infections among adults in the Caribbean has been documented. Methods: Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests followed by confirmatory testing with immunofluorescent assays (IFA), immunochromatographic (ICG) tests, and pseudotype focus reduction neutralization tests (pFRNT), we retrospectively and prospectively detected orthohantavirus-specific antibodies among patients with febrile illness in Barbados. Results: The orthohantavirus prevalence rate varied from 5.8 to 102.6 cases per 100,000 persons among febrile patients who sought medical attention annually between 2008 and 2016. Two major orthohantavirus epidemics occurred in Barbados during 2010 and 2016. Peak orthohantavis infections were observed observed during the rainy season (August) and prevalence rates were significantly higher in females than males and in patients from urban parishes than rural parishes. Conclusions: Orthohantavirus infections are still occurring in Barbados and in some patients along with multiple pathogen infections (CHIKV, ZIKV, DENV and <i>Leptospira</i>). Orthohantavirus infections are more prevalent during periods of high rainfall (rainy season) with peak transmission in August; females are more likely to be infected than males and infections are more likely among patients from urban rather than rural parishes in Barbados. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:37:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4ff6df3a8cbe424ab2583dbb50a97364 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:37:26Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-4ff6df3a8cbe424ab2583dbb50a973642023-11-21T18:46:22ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-05-0110557110.3390/pathogens10050571Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016Kirk Osmond Douglas0Thelma Alafia Samuels1Rommel Iheozor-Ejiofor2Olli Vapalahti3Tarja Sironen4Marquita Gittens-St. Hilaire5Centre for Biosecurity Studies, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, St. Michael BB11000, BarbadosEpidemiology Research Unit, Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, JamaicaDepartment of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00290 Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00290 Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00290 Helsinki, FinlandBest-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, Enmore #6, Lower Collymore Rock, St. Michael BB11155, BarbadosBackground: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is well-known in South and North America; however, not enough data exist for the Caribbean. The first report of clinical orthohantavirus infection was obtained in Barbados, but no other evidence of clinical orthohantavirus infections among adults in the Caribbean has been documented. Methods: Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests followed by confirmatory testing with immunofluorescent assays (IFA), immunochromatographic (ICG) tests, and pseudotype focus reduction neutralization tests (pFRNT), we retrospectively and prospectively detected orthohantavirus-specific antibodies among patients with febrile illness in Barbados. Results: The orthohantavirus prevalence rate varied from 5.8 to 102.6 cases per 100,000 persons among febrile patients who sought medical attention annually between 2008 and 2016. Two major orthohantavirus epidemics occurred in Barbados during 2010 and 2016. Peak orthohantavis infections were observed observed during the rainy season (August) and prevalence rates were significantly higher in females than males and in patients from urban parishes than rural parishes. Conclusions: Orthohantavirus infections are still occurring in Barbados and in some patients along with multiple pathogen infections (CHIKV, ZIKV, DENV and <i>Leptospira</i>). Orthohantavirus infections are more prevalent during periods of high rainfall (rainy season) with peak transmission in August; females are more likely to be infected than males and infections are more likely among patients from urban rather than rural parishes in Barbados.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/5/571HFRSHPSVHForthohantavirusdengueinfectious disease |
| spellingShingle | Kirk Osmond Douglas Thelma Alafia Samuels Rommel Iheozor-Ejiofor Olli Vapalahti Tarja Sironen Marquita Gittens-St. Hilaire Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 Pathogens HFRS HPS VHF orthohantavirus dengue infectious disease |
| title | Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 |
| title_full | Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 |
| title_fullStr | Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 |
| title_short | Serological Evidence of Human Orthohantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008 to 2016 |
| title_sort | serological evidence of human orthohantavirus infections in barbados 2008 to 2016 |
| topic | HFRS HPS VHF orthohantavirus dengue infectious disease |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/5/571 |
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