Seroprevalence of hantavirus and Yersinia pestis antibodies in professionals from the Plague Control Program

• Main Authors: Erika de Cassia Vieira da Costa, Gerlane Tavares de Souza Chioratto, Paulo Thiago Melo Guarana, Marise Sobreira, Ivoneida Aragao, Robervaldo Silva, Sheila Sotelino Rocha, Celso Tavares, Alzira Maria Paiva de Almeida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2013-07-01
• Series: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Plague; Hantavirus; Zoonoses; Reservoirs; Biosafety
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822013000400490&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1678-9849

Introduction Professionals who handle rodents in the field and in the laboratory are at risk of infection by the microorganisms harbored by these animals. Methods Serum samples from professionals involved in rodent and Yersinia pestis handling in field or laboratory work were analyzed to determine hantavirus and plague seroprevalence and to establish a relationship between these activities and reports of illnesses. Results Two individuals had antibodies against hantavirus, and two harbored antibodies against the plague; none of the individuals had experienced an illness related to their duties. Conclusions These results confirm the risks of hantavirus- and plague-related field and laboratory activities and the importance of protective measures for such work.