Prevalence and risk factors of Hantavirus infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Khartoum, Sudan, in 2019: a cross-sectional study

Seroprevalence of hantavirus infection in non-epidemic settings over four decades: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hantavirus infection is a zoonotic disease from rodents to humans, necessitating seroprevalence assessment for disease burden clarification and control measure implementation. This study aimed to estimate global hantaviruses seroprevalence, examining variations by regions, populations or settings.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search identified studies on human hantaviruses seroprevalence using IgG detection until january 2024. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled seroprevalence, with subgroup analyses for geographical region, population, setting or occupation.

RESULTS

Out of 3,382 abstracts reviewed, 110 studies were selected, comprising 81,815 observations and 3207 events. The global seroprevalence was calculated at 2.93% (2.34%-3.67%). In terms of geographical distribution, our analysis encompassed 61 studies from the Americas, where the seroprevalence was estimated at 2.43% (95% CI: 1.71%-3.46%), 33 studies from Europe indicating a seroprevalence of 2.98% (95% CI: 2.19%-4.06%), 10 studies from Asia revealing a seroprevalence of 6.84% (95% CI: 3.64%-12.50%), and 6 studies from Africa demonstrating a seroprevalence of 2.21% (95% CI: 1.82%-2.71%). Subgroup analysis underscored varying seroprevalence rates across different populations, settings, and occupations, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions and preventive measures.

CONCLUSION

The analysis reveals a moderate global hantaviruses seroprevalence, emphasizing the viral family's complex transmission dynamics influenced by exposure and geographical factors. This highlights the need for targeted prevention and control strategies.

[Hantavirus infection as a risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka]

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has emerged in endemic areas of Sri Lanka since the 1990s. The disease is a chronic but fatal disease. Until now, heavy metals and agrochemicals have been suspected as the cause of CKDu, but it has been still unknown. Recently, we have found a high seroprevalence to hantavirus in CKDu patients and reported that hantavirus infection is a risk of CKDu. Hantaviruses are rodent-borne zoonotic viruses. Here, I would like to introduce a story of the research from sero-epidemiology to the search for host animals.