Serologic survey of hantavirus in a rural population from the northern State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

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.

Orthohantavirus infections in South America: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Orthohantaviruses are zoonotic pathogens that cause acute and severe syndromes in humans. This review was performed to estimate the occurrence of human orthohantaviruses in South America between 2010 and 2022. A careful evaluation of the eligibility and quality of the articles was carried out after a systematic bibliographic search of four databases. The pooled frequency of human orthohantaviruses was calculated using a random effects model meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of estimates (resulting from the chi2 test and I2 statistics) was investigated by subgroup analysis and meta-regression. 1,962 confirmed cases of orthohantavirus infections were diagnosed among 35,548 individuals from seven South American countries. The general occurrence of orthohantaviruses was estimated to be 4.4% (95% confidence interval: 2.9-6.2%) based on general pooling of human cases from 32 studies. In a subgroup analysis considering the study design and method of diagnosis, the percentages of diagnosed orthohantavirus infections differed substantially (I2 = 97.8%, p = 0.00) among South American countries. Four genetic variants of orthohantavirus have been identified circulating in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Although laboratory diagnosis of orthohantaviruses is not performed in many countries in South America, there is evidence that four different orthohantaviruses are circulating in the region. The pooled occurrence of viral infection was approximately 4.0% in more than half of the South American countries. Updated information on the occurrence of human infections is essential for monitoring the territorial spread and determining the frequency of this zoonosis.

Seroprevalence of Hantavirus among Manual Cane Cutters and Epidemiological Aspects of HPS in Central Brazil

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rodent-borne zoonotic disease that is endemic throughout the Americas. Agricultural activities increase exposure to wild rodents, especially for sugarcane cutters. We carried out a survey of the epidemiological aspects of HPS and investigated the prevalence of hantavirus infection in the sugarcane cutter population from different localities in the Brazilian Midwest region. We conducted a retrospective study of all confirmed HPS cases in the state of Goiás reported to the National HPS surveillance system between 2007 and 2017, along with a seroepidemiological study in a population of sugarcane cutters working in Goiás state in 2016, using the anti-hantavirus (Andes) ELISA IgG. A total of 634 serum samples from cane cutters were tested for hantavirus antibodies, with 44 (6.9%) being IgG-reactive according to ELISA. The destination of garbage was the only statistically significant variable (p = 0.03) related to the detection of hantavirus IgG (p < 0.05). We described the epidemiological profile of reported hantavirus cases in Goiás-a highly endemic area for HPS, and where the seroepidemiological study was conducted. Our results increase our knowledge about hantavirus infections in Brazil and highlight the vulnerability of sugarcane cutters to a highly lethal disease that, to date, has no specific treatment or vaccination.

Orthohantavirus Survey in Indigenous Lands in a Savannah-Like Biome, Brazil

In Brazil, the first confirmed cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in Indigenous populations occurred in 2001. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of orthohantavirus infections in the Utiariti Indigenous land located in the southeastern region of the Brazilian Amazon. In December 2014 and 2015, a survey was conducted using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in nine villages belonging to the Haliti–Paresí Indigenous communities. A total of 301 participants were enrolled in the study. Of the two study cohorts, the one from 2014 showed a prevalence of 12.4%, whereas the one from 2015 had a serum prevalence of 13.4%. Analysis of the paired samples of 110 Indigenous people who participated in both stages of the study enabled identification of four individuals who had seroconverted during the study period. Identifying the circulation of orthohantaviruses in the Utiariti Indigenous land highlights a serious public health problem in viral expansion and highlights the need to implement preventive measures appropriate to the sociocultural reality of these communities.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Domestic Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in Taiwan: A 19-Year Retrospective Study

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an illness caused by hantaviruses. Numerous factors modify the risk of hantavirus transmission. This study explored the epidemiological characteristics, differences, and trends in terms of gender, age, season, and living areas of those diagnosed with domestically acquired HFRS in Taiwan from 2001 to 2019. Methods: We examined publicly available annual summary data on the domestic cases with HFRS from 2001 to 2019; these data were obtained from the web database of Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Results: This study analyzed 21 domestic cases with HFRS from Taiwan’s CDC databases. In this study of the cases of HFRS in Taiwan, a gradual increase in the cases of those aged ≥40 years acquiring the disease was noted, and a distinct pattern of seasonal variation (spring) was observed. Furthermore, more men had domestically acquired HFRS, and living in Taipei metropolitan area (6 cases [28.6%]) and the rural areas (Gao-Ping region, 9 cases [42.9%]) was identified as a potential risk factor. This study represents the first report of confirmed cases of domestically acquired HFRS from surveillance data from Taiwan’s CDC, 2001–2019. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of longitudinal studies covering a wide geographical area, particularly for highly fluctuating pathogens, to understanding the implications of the transmission of zoonotic diseases in human populations. Important data were identified to inform future surveillance and research efforts in Taiwan.

Synanthropic rodents as virus reservoirs and transmitters

This review focuses on reports of hepatitis E virus, hantavirus, rotavirus, coronavirus, and arenavirus in synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus) within urban environments. Despite their potential impact on human health, relatively few studies have addressed the monitoring of these viruses in rodents. Comprehensive control and preventive activities should include actions such as the elimination or reduction of rat and mouse populations, sanitary education, reduction of shelters for the animals, and restriction of the access of rodents to residences, water, and food supplies.

Malaria and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Gold Mining in the Amazon Region, Brazil

People living in mining regions are exposed to numerous biological agents by several specific types of transmission mechanisms. This study is designed to describe fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases confirmed by serology and molecular analysis, where a seroprevalence survey was conducted in the gold mining regions of the state of Mato Grosso, in the official Amazon region, Brazil. Two fatal cases of HPS were confirmed in a mining area in the Legal Amazon, where malaria is one of the most important public health problems. A molecular analysis detected the presence of the genome of the Castelo dos Sonhos virus. Out of the 112 blood samples analyzed, five were positive for Plasmodium infection (four P. falciparum and one P. vivax), and four were seropositive for hantavirus, showing a seroprevalence of 3.57%. One of the four miners who was seroreactive for hantavirus concomitantly had P. falciparum infection, which was confirmed by thick blood smear. This manuscript highlights the importance of considering hantavirus pulmonary syndrome as a diagnostic possibility in febrile infection associated with pulmonary manifestations in mining areas where malaria cases are often identified.

Silent Orthohantavirus Circulation Among Humans and Small Mammals from Central Minas Gerais, Brazil

New World orthohantaviruses are emerging RNA viruses that cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). These viruses are a burden to public health around the world with a lethality rate of around 60%. In South America, rodents of Sigmodontinae subfamily are the main reservoirs of orthohantaviruses. We described a serosurvey for orthohantaviruses circulation in an apparently healthy human population and small mammals from rural areas in Central Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 240 individuals and 50 small mammals (26 rodents belonging to 10 different species and 24 marsupials from 4 different species) were sampled during 2012-2013. The seroprevalence rates of IgG/IgM antibodies in humans were 7.1 and 1.6%, respectively. Only one rodent, an Oligoryzomys nigripes captured in peridomestic area, tested positive for IgG antibodies and viral RNA. Our findings suggest a silent circulation of orthohantaviruses in a region of intensive agriculture production. The detection of seropositive humans in an area with a lack of previous HCPS reports highlights potential oligosymptomatic cases and the need for surveillance strategies that could reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

Serological evidence of hantavirus infection in an urban area in Mato Grosso State, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

In Brazil, Mato Grosso (MT) has the highest number of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome cases. Our study aimed to identify anti-hantavirus antibodies in the sera of patients from Sinop, MT, presenting with acute febrile illness.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of data for 198 sera samples assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted.

RESULTS

Immunoglobulins G (IgGs) against the hantavirus nucleoprotein were found in 13.6% of the tested sera. No sample had immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to hantavirus. Seropositivity occurred mainly in female residents in urban areas who worked around the household.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest circulation of hantavirus in Sinop.

Vulnerability of Brazilian municipalities to hantavirus infections based on multi-criteria decision analysis

Background

Hantavirus infection is an emerging zoonosis transmitted by wild rodents. In Brazil, high case-fatality rates among humans infected with hantavirus are of serious concern to public health authorities. Appropriate preventive measures partly depend on reliable knowledge about the geographical distribution of this disease.

Methods

Incidence of hantavirus infections in Brazil (1993–2013) was analyzed. Epidemiological, socioeconomic, and demographic indicators were also used to classify cities’ vulnerability to disease by means of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).

Results

From 1993 to 2013, 1752 cases of hantavirus were registered in 16 Brazilian states. The highest incidence of hantavirus was observed in the states of Mato Grosso (0.57/100,000) and Santa Catarina (0.13/100,000). Based on MCDA analysis, municipalities in the southern, southeastern, and midwestern regions of Brazil can be classified as highly vulnerable. Most municipalities in northern and northeastern Brazil were classified as having low vulnerability to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.

Conclusions

Although most human infections by hantavirus registered in Brazil occurred in the southern region of the country, a greater vulnerability to hantavirus was found in the Brazilian Midwest. This result reflects the need to strengthen surveillance where the disease has thus far gone unreported.