Seroepidemiological Survey of Hantavirus Infection in Healthy People in Vallès Occidental, Barcelona

Abstract

Hantaviruses are the etiological agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Europe and Asia, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in America. Approximately 150,000 cases are reported annually worldwide. In Spain, some hantavirus infection cases have been described. Besides, rodents that have been described as hantavirus reservoirs are present. The aim of the present study was to determinate the seroprevalence of hantavirus in humans in the northeast of Spain. During a 5-month period, 217 serum samples were collected. The study population was stratified by age, gender, and residential area. Age, gender, residential area, contact with pets, contact with wild animals, contact with farm animals, and occupation were surveyed. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to Hantaan virus, Seoul virus, or Puumala virus were examined by immunofluorescence assay. Titles ≥1/32 against any of the hantavirus were considered positive. Four (1.8%) positive samples were detected. Age ranged from 14 to 67 years. Two subjects were male. Three samples reacted to both Puumala virus and Hantaan virus. The other one reacted against all three hantavirus surveyed. Titles ranged from 32 to 1024. The highest titles were found against Seoul virus. Our data show serological evidence about hantavirus infection among population of Catalonia, northeast of Spain. Seroprevalence rate was (around 2%) similar to other regions of Spain.