Abstract
BackgroundThe emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a cause for worldwide concern. The introduction of Zika and Chikungunya diseases in the Americas has exposed unforeseen medical and logistical challenges for public health systems. Moreover, the lack of preventive measures and vaccination against known and emerging mosquito-transmitted pathogens, and the occurrence of unanticipated clinical complications, has had an enormous social and economic impact on the affected populations. In this study, we aimed to measure the seroprevalence of endemic and emerging viral pathogens in military personnel stationed in Manaus, Amazonas state.MethodsWe measured the seropositivity of antibodies against 19 endemic and emerging viruses in a healthy military personnel group using a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA).ResultsOverall, DENV positivity was 60.4%, and 30.9% of the individuals reacted against ZIKV. Also, 46.6%, 54.7%, 51.3% and 48.7% individuals reacted against West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), Ilheus virus (ILHV) and Rocio virus (ROCV), respectively. Individuals with high DENV HIA titer reacted more frequently with ZIKV or WNV compared to those with low HIA titers. Observed cross-reactivity between Flaviviruses varied depending on the virus serogroup. Additionally, 0.6% and 0.3% individuals were seropositive for Oropouche virus (OROV) and Catu virus (CATUV) from the family Peribunyaviridae, respectively. All samples were negative for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western Equine Encephalomyelitis virus (WEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), Mucambo virus (MUCV) and CHIKV from the family Togaviridae.ConclusionsA high proportion of individuals in our high-risk population (~ 60%) lacked antibodies against major endemic and emerging viruses, which makes them susceptible for further infections. Military personnel serving in the Amazon region could serve as sentinels to strengthen global infectious disease surveillance, particularly in remote areas.Graphical abstract
Highlights
The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a cause for worldwide concern
Consecutive dengue epidemics have been occurring in Brazil since 1986, and more than 4 million cases of dengue fever (DF) had already been recorded to date [5, 6]
All four dengue virus serotypes causing human disease have been detected in Brazil, and at least two serotypes co-circulate in most of the Brazilian states; please refer to Additional file 4: Table S4 for details regarding dengue serotypes and Brazilian state [7,8,9]
Summary
The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a cause for worldwide concern. The lack of preventive measures and vaccination against known and emerging mosquito-transmitted pathogens, and the occurrence of unanticipated clinical complications, has had an enormous social and economic impact on the affected populations. Deforestation, urbanization and climate change have led to perpetual public health challenges of infectious diseases worldwide [1]. Dengue virus (DENV), one of the foremost studied arboviruses, is still responsible for millions of infections and numerous deaths worldwide [4]. All four dengue virus serotypes causing human disease have been detected in Brazil, and at least two serotypes co-circulate in most of the Brazilian states; please refer to Additional file 4: Table S4 for details regarding dengue serotypes and Brazilian state [7,8,9]. In the absence of effective therapeutics to treat dengue disease, and low adherence to ineffective mosquito control measures, there has been an increase in dengue-associated deaths along with increasing disease incidence [5, 9]
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