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Occupational Hantavirus Infections in Agricultural and Forestry Workers: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112150. [PMID: 34834957 PMCID: PMC8621010 DOI: 10.3390/v13112150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses are zoonotic pathogens that can cause serious human disorders, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. As the main risk factor for human infections is the interaction with rodents, occupational groups such as farmers and forestry workers are reportedly at high risk, but no summary evidence has been collected to date. Therefore, we searched two different databases (PubMed and EMBASE), focusing on studies reporting the prevalence of hantaviruses in farmers and forestry workers. Data were extracted using a standardized assessment form, and results of such analyses were systematically reported, summarized and compared. We identified a total of 42 articles, including a total of 28 estimates on farmers, and 22 on forestry workers, with a total workforce of 15,043 cases (821 positive cases, 5.5%). A pooled seroprevalence of 3.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.2–6.2) was identified in farmers, compared to 3.8% (95% CI 2.6–5.7) in forestry workers. Compared to the reference population, an increased occurrence was reported for both occupational groups (odds ratio [OR] 1.875, 95% CI 1.438–2.445 and OR 2.892, 95% CI 2.079–4.023 for farmers and forestry workers, respectively). In summary, our analyses stress the actual occurrence of hantaviruses in selected occupational groups. Improved understanding of appropriate preventive measures, as well as further studies on hantavirus infection rates in reservoir host species (rodents, shrews, and bats) and virus transmission to humans, is needed to prevent future outbreaks.
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Riccò M, Ferraro P, Peruzzi S, Balzarini F, Ranzieri S. Hantaviruses in Agricultural and Forestry Workers: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Italian Physicians. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:169. [PMID: 34564553 PMCID: PMC8482122 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses are viral pathogens usually endemic in rodent populations. Human exposure follows inhalation of dusts contaminated with rodent excreta, and most individuals have been infected in occupational settings heavily contaminated with rodent droppings, such as agricultural and forestry. To date, knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical professionals, especially occupational physicians (OP), regarding hantavirus disease in at-risk workers have been scarcely investigated. We investigated these topics through a structured questionnaire administered through an online survey of 223 medical professionals (42.2% of them working as OP). Adequate general knowledge of hantavirus disease was found in 48.9% of respondents, with OP exhibiting a better understanding of clinical features of human hantavirus infections. OP aware of the endemic status of hantavirus in North-Eastern Italy exhibited higher risk perception for agricultural workers (odds ratio 21,193, 95% confidence interval 3.666-122.505). On the contrary, a better knowledge of hantaviruses was association with acknowledging an increased risk of hantavirus infection in forestry workers (odds ratio 5.880, 95% confidence interval 1.620-21.343). Hantavirus in Italy represent an often-overlooked biological risk in occupational settings. The lack of preventive immunization, the inappropriate risk perception and the unsatisfying awareness of hantavirus issues collectively stress the importance of appropriate information campaigns among health care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola n.2, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, RE, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Department of Prevention, Occupational Health and Safety Service of the Local Health Unit of Foggia, ASL Foggia, Piazza Pavoncelli 11, I-41121 Foggia, FG, Italy;
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42016 Guastalla, RE, Italy;
| | - Federica Balzarini
- Dipartimento P.A.A.P.S.S., Servizio Autorizzazione e Accreditamento, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) di Bergamo, Via Galliccioli, 4, I-24121 Bergamo, BG, Italy;
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, I-43126 Parma, PR, Italy;
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Madai M, Horváth G, Herczeg R, Somogyi B, Zana B, Földes F, Kemenesi G, Kurucz K, Papp H, Zeghbib S, Jakab F. Effectiveness Regarding Hantavirus Detection in Rodent Tissue Samples and Urine. Viruses 2021; 13:570. [PMID: 33805304 PMCID: PMC8066454 DOI: 10.3390/v13040570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural hosts of Orthohantaviruses are rodents, soricomorphs and bats, and it is well known that they may cause serious or even fatal diseases among humans worldwide. The virus is persistent among animals and it is shed via urine, saliva and feces throughout the entirety of their lives. We aim to identify the effectiveness of hantavirus detection in rodent tissue samples and urine originating from naturally infected rodents. Initially, animals were trapped at five distinct locations throughout the Transdanubian region in Hungary. Lung, liver, kidney and urine samples were obtained from 163 deceased animals. All organs and urine were tested using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). Furthermore, sera were examined for IgG antibodies against Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) and Puumala virus (PUUV) by Western blot assay. IgG antibodies against hantaviruses and/or nucleic acid were detected in 25 (15.3%) cases. Among Apodemus, Myodes, and Microtus rodent species, DOBV, PUUV and Tula virus (TULV) were clearly identified. Amid the PCR-positive samples, the nucleic acid of the viruses was detected most effectively in the kidney (100%), while only 55% of screened lung tissues were positive. Interestingly, only three out of 20 rodent urine samples were positive when tested using nRT-PCR. Moreover, five rodents were seropositive without detectable virus nucleic acid in any of the tested organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Madai
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Győző Horváth
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Róbert Herczeg
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Balázs Somogyi
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Brigitta Zana
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Fanni Földes
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Kornélia Kurucz
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Henrietta Papp
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Safia Zeghbib
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- National Laboratory of Virology, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (B.S.); (B.Z.); (F.F.); (G.K.); (H.P.); (S.Z.)
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.H.); (K.K.)
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Madai M, Németh V, Oldal M, Horváth G, Herczeg R, Kelemen K, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. Temporal Dynamics of Two Pathogenic Hantaviruses Among Rodents in Hungary. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:212-221. [PMID: 31821117 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses are worldwide pathogens, which often cause serious or even fatal diseases in humans. Hosts are predominantly in the form of rodents and soricomorphs; however, bats are also described as an important reservoir. In Hungary, representatives of two human pathogenic species of the genus Orthohantavirus are present: the Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus and Puumala orthohantavirus. In Hungarian forests, the dominant rodent species are Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Myodes glareolus, all of which are natural reservoirs comprising different hantaviruses. The aim of the study was to survey the prevalence of hantaviruses among rodent populations and examine the potential relationship regarding population densities, years, sex, and seroprevalence. Rodents were trapped at 13 sampling plots in a forest reserve located in the Mecsek Mountain range, Hungary, from March to October between 2011 and 2014. Rodent serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies against Dobrava-Belgrade virus and Puumala virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant nucleocapsid protein. During the 4-year sampling period, 2491 specimens were tested and 254 (10.2%) proved seropositive for orthohantaviruses. In 2011, the seroprevalence among Apodemus spp. and M. glareolus was 17.2% (114/661) and 3.9% (3/77), respectively, although this rate had reversed itself in 2014. Seropositivity was substantiated in 18.4% (12/65) of Myodes voles, while only 3.6% (13/359) of the tested Apodemus rodents were found to be IgG positive. Seroconversion was observed in 58 cases, while seroreversion was only detected in 3 individual cases. A significant difference among the number of infected males and females was identified in the first 2 years of our study. Winter survival with respect to rodents was not negatively affected due to the hantavirus infection. Hantavirus seroprevalence was not directly influenced by host abundance. Consequently, we assume that high rodent density alone does not lead to an increased risk of hantavirus infection among the rodent host population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Madai
- Virological Research Group, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Németh
- Virological Research Group, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Oldal
- Virological Research Group, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Győző Horváth
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Róbert Herczeg
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Kelemen
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- Virological Research Group, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- Virological Research Group, BSL-4 Laboratory, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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AKAR N, ÇALIŞKAN E, ÖZTÜRK CE, ANKARALI H, KILINÇEL Ö, ÖKSÜZ Ş, ŞAHİN İ. Seroprevalence of hantavirus and Borrelia burgdorferi in Düzce (Turkey) forest villages
and the relationship with sociodemographic features. Turk J Med Sci 2019; 49:483-489. [PMID: 30862151 PMCID: PMC7018355 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1807-160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Hantavirus and Borrelia burgdorferi are two zoonotic agents that pose a great risk especially for people living in forest
areas. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hantavirus and B. burgdorferi in forest villages of Düzce and its relationship
with sociodemographic features. Materials and methods The presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against hantavirus and
B. burgdorferi in serum samples was investigated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hantavirus IgG and B. burgdorferi
IgM and IgG positivity was then validated by western blot (WB) method. Results During the analyses, 193 serum samples were tested. Eleven (6%) cases of hantavirus IgM was found positive by ELISA. Six
(3%) cases of hantavirus IgG, 3 (2%) cases of B. burgdorferi IgM, and 12 (6%) cases of B. burgdorferi IgG were found positive by WB.
Borrelia burgdorferi IgG positivity was found to be higher in the 46–70 age group and it was seen that the positivity was the highest
among those who lived in mud-brick houses. Conclusion This study was the first to determine the frequency of hantavirus in the study region and it includes current data for B.
burgdorferi. Consequently, it is recommended that similar studies be carried out on rodents in all the regions at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nida AKAR
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, AnkaraTurkey
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| | - Emel ÇALIŞKAN
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, DüzceTurkey
| | - Cihadiye Elif ÖZTÜRK
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, DüzceTurkey
| | - Handan ANKARALI
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul Medeniyet University, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Özge KILINÇEL
- Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Düzce Atatürk State Hospital, DüzceTurkey
| | - Şükrü ÖKSÜZ
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, DüzceTurkey
| | - İdris ŞAHİN
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, DüzceTurkey
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Kurucz K, Madai M, Bali D, Hederics D, Horváth G, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. Parallel Survey of Two Widespread Renal Syndrome-Causing Zoonoses:Leptospiraspp. andHantavirusin Urban Environment, Hungary. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:200-205. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kornélia Kurucz
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Mónika Madai
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dominika Bali
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dávid Hederics
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Győző Horváth
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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