Junin virus activity in two rural populations of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) endemic area.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of inapparent infection with Junin virus among the rural population and its relation to the clinical disease, a serological study was carried out in two zones of the endemic area of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). From the first appearance of AHF in the zones (1963) and the moment of the survey (1977), 14 years had passed. A total of 695 serum samples were obtained, 540 from Córdoba and 155 from Buenos Aires. Of the 695 serum samples, 83 were positive for neutralizing antibodies against Junin virus. Total infection (clinical and inapparent cases) reached 11.6% and 12.03% in the Buenos Aires and Córdoba zones, respectively, showing that the total prevalence of infection in two zones separated by 320 miles, are very much alike. In Córdoba province, the prevalence of clinical infection was 7.59%, while that for inapparent infection was 4.44%. Values for the Province of Buenos Aires were 9.67% and 1.93%, respectively. In addition to a low prevalence of inapparent infections, the results of this survey show that roughly 90% of the population is susceptible to contract the disease; this stresses the need to immunize susceptible individuals in the endemic area.