Abstract
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus circulating globally. SINV outbreaks have been mainly reported in North-European countries. In Israel, SINV was detected in 6.3% of mosquito pools; however, SINV infection in humans has rarely been diagnosed. A serologic survey to detect SINV IgG antibodies was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of SINV in the Israeli population. In total, 3145 serum samples collected in 2011–2014, representing all age and population groups in Israel, were assessed using an indirect ELISA assay, and a neutralization assay was performed on all ELISA-positive samples. The prevalence rates of SINV IgG antibodies were calculated. Logistic regressions models were applied to assess the association between demographic characteristics and SINV seropositivity. Overall, 113 (3.6%) and 59 (1.9%) samples were positive for ELISA and neutralization SINV IgG, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that SINV seropositivity was significantly associated with older age and residence outside metropolitan areas. These results demonstrate that, despite no outbreaks or clinical presentation, SINV infects the human population in Israel. Seropositivity is countrywide, more frequent in people of older age, and less diffuse in Israel’s metropolitan areas. Seroprevalence studies from other countries will add to our understanding of the global burden of SINV and the risk for potential SINV outbreaks.
Highlights
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus belonging to the Togaviridae family which circulates between mosquitoes and birds and only incidentally infects humans [1]
To evaluate the seroprevalence of SINV in the Israeli population, 3145 samples were tested for the presence of SINV IgG antibodies by ELISA
The results showed that 83.3–87.5% of samples with ELISA index value above 8 had neutralizing antibodies against SINV, while %neutralization of samples with ELISA index value below eight was only ~50% (Figure 1)
Summary
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus belonging to the Togaviridae family which circulates between mosquitoes and birds and only incidentally infects humans [1]. SINV was first isolated from Culex mosquitoes in 1952 in the Nile River delta in Egypt [2]. SINV infection can cause a febrile illness which may include arthralgia, rash, and malaise [1]. Chronic symptoms may last for months and even years following SINV infection and include musculoskeletal and other autoimmune disease-like symptoms [3,4]. Outbreaks of SINV disease have occurred primarily in Sweden (Ockelbo disease) [5], Finland (Pogosta disease) [6], Russia (Karelian fever) [7], South Africa [8], and Australia [9].
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