Serosurvey of pathogenic hantaviruses among forestry workers in Hungary

• Authors: Miklós Oldal , Viktória Németh , Mónika Madai , Réka Pintér , Gábor Kemenesi , Bianka Dallos , Anna Kutas , Judit Sebők , Győző Horváth , Krisztián Bányai , Ferenc Jakab

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: The aim of the study was to survey the prevalence of human hantavirus infections among forestry workers, who are considered a risk population for contracting the disease. Sera collected from volunteers were tested for antibodies against Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) viruses. Material and Methods: For serological analyses, full capsid proteins of DOBV and PUUV viruses were produced in a bacterial expression system, while Ni-resin was used for protein purification. Samples were screened for anti-hantavirus antibodies by ELISA, results were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Results: A total of 835 samples collected from 750 males and 85 females were tested by indirect ELISA and positive test results were confirmed by Western blot assay. Out of the 45 ELISA-reactive samples, 38 were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The regional distribution of seropositive individuals was as follows: 1.9% (2/107) in the Danube-Tisza Plateau (Great Plains), 3.1% (10/321) in the Southern Transdanubian region, 5.2% (13/248) in the Northern Transdanubian, and 8.2% (13/159) in the North Hungarian Mountains. Conclusions: Our data show marked geographic differences in seroprevalence of pathogenic hantaviruses within Hungary, indicating elevated exposure to hantavirus infections in some areas.

Keywords

EN

hantavirus; forestry; serosurvey; Western blot; Hungary

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 766-773

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Miklós Oldal

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Viktória Németh

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Mónika Madai

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Réka Pintér

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Gábor Kemenesi

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Bianka Dallos

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Anna Kutas

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Judit Sebők

• Medical School, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Győző Horváth

• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

author

Krisztián Bányai

• Center for Agricultural Research, Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

author

Ferenc Jakab

• Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
• Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0308-2

Biblioteka Nauki

2178889