IgG Seroprevalence Research Articles

Expanding Understanding of Urban Rift Valley Fever Risk and Associated Vector Ecology at Slaughterhouses in Kisumu, Kenya.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an adaptable arbovirus that can be transmitted by a wide variety of arthropods. Widespread urban transmission of RVFV has not yet occurred, but peri-urban outbreaks of RVFV have recently been documented in East Africa. We previously reported low-level exposure in urban communities and highlighted the risk of introduction via live animal influx. We deployed a slaughtered animal testing framework in response to an early warning system at two urban slaughterhouses and tested animals entering the meat value chain for anti-RVFV IgG and IgM antibodies. We simultaneously trapped mosquitoes for RVFV and bloodmeal testing. Out of 923 animals tested, an 8.5% IgG seroprevalence was identified but no evidence of recent livestock exposure was detected. Mosquito species abundance varied greatly by slaughterhouse site, which explained 52% of the variance in blood meals. We captured many Culex spp., a known RVFV amplifying vector, at one of the sites (p < 0.001), and this species had the most diverse blood meals. No mosquito pools tested positive for RVFV antigen using a rapid VecTOR test. These results expand understanding of potential RVF urban disease ecology, and highlight that slaughterhouses are key locations for future surveillance, modelling, and monitoring efforts.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Algeria.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite affecting all warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans. Infections in humans can lead to severe clinical manifestations in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. The aim of the present study was to assess seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and to identify the associated risk factors among pregnant women from southern Algeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to May 2022 among 1,345 pregnant women. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on risk factors associated with infection. Participants were screened for anti T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using the enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. The overall IgG and IgM seroprevalence was 13.6% and 0.89%, respectively. A significant association was found between seroprevalence of anti T. gondii IgG and history of spontaneous abortion (P = 0.016). Moreover, an increasing trend of seroprevalence was detected in the autumnal season (P = 0.030), and eating raw or undercooked meat was found to be significantly associated with anti-T. gondii IgM seropositivity (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that women who had experienced spontaneous abortion, regularly ate undercooked meat, and used bottled water in summer were more likely to contract infection with T. gondii. The majority (86.4%) of the studied pregnant women were serologically negative for toxoplasmosis and hence were susceptible to primary acute infection during pregnancy and possible fetal anomalies. Therefore, health education and awareness of the disease and its transmission to women, especially during pregnancy, is imperative.

Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Varicella zoster Virus in Young Adults Aged 15 – 35 Years Old in Mashhad, Iran

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious and can lead to two distinct diseases. Initially, it causes chickenpox, a primary infection common among children worldwide, characterized by itchy, red blisters that cover the body. After this initial outbreak, the virus can lie dormant in nerve tissues and may reactivate later in life as herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, which presents as a painful rash. While chickenpox is generally mild and resolves on its own, it can cause severe complications, especially in vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals or adults. These complications can range from bacterial superinfections and pneumonia to encephalitis. In rare cases, it may lead to life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis or toxic shock syndrome, highlighting the potential severity of what is often considered a childhood illness. Objectives: One of the main risk factors for varicella-zoster infection is the absence of immunity. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against or previously infected with the VZV are at risk of contracting chickenpox when exposed. Additionally, close contact with infected individuals increases the likelihood of transmission. People with chronic conditions or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from varicella-zoster infections. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the seroepidemiology of antibodies against varicella zoster in the young adult population in Mashhad. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on men and women aged 15 to 35 years in Mashhad, northeast Iran. Random cluster sampling was utilized. Individuals undergoing treatment for rare diseases were excluded from the study. The enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique was employed to assess the presence of IgG antibodies against varicella zoster in 724 serum samples. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Overall, among the 724 participants aged 15 - 35 years old in Mashhad, the frequency of anti-varicella IgG seropositivity was 85.9%. Our results indicated significant associations between age (P = 0.001) and occupational status (P = 0.02) with varicella-zoster seroprevalence. Conclusions: We observed a high frequency of anti-varicella zoster IgG seroprevalence among young adults in Mashhad. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe forms of chickenpox or experience complications from shingles, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Given the severe health problems caused by the varicella virus and its high prevalence in Mashhad, we recommend incorporating the varicella vaccine into the public vaccination program. Additionally, further examination of the burden of herpes zoster, including its impact on quality of life and healthcare utilization, can guide interventions to mitigate the consequences of this condition.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Cross Sectional Study.

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been linked to several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies and risk factors associated with seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This seroepidemiological study assessed 196 participants, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 98 schizophrenic patients and was matched with 98 healthy blood donors. A questionnaire was used to gather information regarding potential risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Results revealed a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in schizophrenic patients (69.39%, 68/98) when compared to healthy controls (51.02%, 50/98) (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.21-3.9; p = 0.01). Patients with schizophrenia who consumed raw or undercooked meat (80.65%, 25/31) (OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 1.25-11.21, p = 0.02) and those with a lower educational level (77.59%, 45/58) (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.59-7.54, p = 0.002) presented increased T. gondii seropositivity rates versus their control counterparts. Our findings indicate a high T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to healthy blood donors. Factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence were consumption of raw or uncooked meat and a lower educational attainment. This study provided the first data regarding the potential risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Romanian patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and may serve as a foundation for future research and the development of preventive strategies.

Previous hepatitis E virus infection is associated with increased liver stiffness in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive liver disease that, in most cases, may require lifelong immunosuppression. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute, typically self‑limited hepatitis worldwide, although immunocompromised patients may develop chronic hepatitis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of HEV seropositivity on the clinical course of AIH. The study involved a group of 374 adult patients with AIH (68% women; median [interquartile range] age, 34 [18-83] years; 38% with liver cirrhosis). Serum HEV immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies were measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay, liver fibrosis was assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and liver cirrhosis was confirmed with liver histology or LSM. Fifty‑five patients (15%) with AIH were HEV IgG‑positive. These patients were older (P <0.001), had higher body mass index, and higher value of LSM (both P <0.05). In a multivariable model including the levels of alanine aminotransferase and IgG, the HEV seropositive status was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis with odds ratio of 3.69 (95% CI, 1.26-10.77; P = 0.02), as reflected by liver stiffness equal to or above 10.5 kPa. HEV IgG seropositivity was, however, not linked with the type of treatment or worse AIH outcome. Seroprevalence of HEV in the patients with AIH was lower than in the general population of Polish blood donors (43%). Patients with AIH and HEV IgG‑positive status seem to be at risk of more advanced liver fibrosis. However, the overall seroprevalence of HEV IgG is lower in patients with AIH than in blood donors in Poland.

Roaming Dogs, Intense Brown Dog Tick Infestation, and Emerging Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Tijuana, México.

A two decades-long epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in northern México reached the U.S. border city of Tijuana in 2021. Cases were near the city periphery in marginalized areas, some lacking infrastructure such as streets or utilities. We worked in the three census areas where human cases were reported and in 12 additional control Áreas Geoestadisticas Básicas. There were dogs, the primary tick host and Rickettsia rickettsii reservoir, in 76% of homes, with 2.2 owned dogs per home on average, approximately equal numbers of roaming dogs were seen, and 46.2% of owned dogs were allowed to roam in the street. Sixty-eight percent of people had heard of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and 35% self-reported tick infestation, including 19% of homes without dogs. Ticks appeared to move among houses of adjacent neighbors. Of 191 examined dogs, 61.8% were tick-infested, with 6-fold increased odds if they were allowed to roam. Although no dogs were Rickettsia polymerase chain reaction-positive, we found one R. rickettsii- and 11 Rickettsia massiliae-infected ticks. The rickettsial IgG seroprevalence by immunofluorescence antibody assay was 76.4%, associated with unhealthy body condition, adults, dogs with >10 ticks, more dogs being seen in the area, and dogs being permitted in the street. Insufficient medical and canine management resources have contributed to a case fatality rate of RMSF that has exceeded 50% in areas. High canine seroprevalence suggests risks to people and dogs; unfortunately, herd immunity is impeded by high turnover in the canine population owing to the birth of puppies and high death rates. Binational One Health workers should monitor disease spread, enact canine population management and tick eradication, and provide prevention, diagnostic, and treatment support.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Antibodies in Psychiatric Patients from Western Romania

IntroductionToxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous protozoan parasite, has been previously associated with psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii in psychiatric patients from Western Romania.MethodsWe included 464 psychiatric patients admitted to the Psychiatric Clinic, County Emergency Hospital of Arad, Western Romania. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests were conducted in these patients, including serological tests to determine the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies.ResultsOf the 464 psychiatric patients, 258 (55.5%) were residing in rural areas and 245 (52.7%) were female. T. gondii IgG antibodies were demonstrated in 325 (70.04%) of 464 study participants and the seroprevalence tended to increase with age.A significant higher T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was found in psychiatric patients aged between 40 to 59 years (p&lt;0.001) and in patients aged ≥60 years (p=0.001) compared to patients aged 19 to 39 years. A higher T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was determined in psychiatric patients residing in rural areas compared to those residing in urban areas (p=0.04). T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was higher in females compared to males (p=0.04).Assessment of seroprevalence by diagnostic revealed that T. gondii IgG antibodies were identified in 23 (85.19%) of 27 patients with delusional disorders, 24 (82.76%) of 29 with dementia, 51 (70.83%) of 72 with organic disorders, 75 (70.75%) of 106 with schizophrenia, 81 (70.43%) of 115 patients with depression, 17 (62.96%) of 27 with bipolar disorders, 27 (58.7%) of 46 with mood disorders and 7 (53.85%) of 13 with impulsive-control disorders.ConclusionsThe presence of T. gondii antibodies was demonstrated in a significant number of patients who attended the Psychiatric Clinic in Arad County, Western Romania. Results of this study suggest that T. gondii may be associated with several psychiatric disorders.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Determination of anti-COVID-19 IgG and IgM seroprevalence among pregnant women at Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background. COVID-19 has been a major public health concern globally, leading to a higher mortality rate, especially among immunosuppressed individuals, who include pregnant women, people with HIV and people living with other comorbidities. Pregnant women are considered to be a special population group owing to their specific susceptibility to some infectious diseases. Objective. To determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic. Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that tested blood samples from pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic from March to July 2022 using the Orient Gene Biotech lateral flow immune-chromatographic assay according to manufacturer instructions. The assay detects IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Results. A total of 2 649 blood samples were tested; 2 039 (77.0%) samples tested positive for IgG, 7 (0.3%) tested positive for IgM, and 100 (3.7%) tested positive for both IgG and IgM. The study found a seroprevalence of 80.7% of IgG. Conclusion. The study findings showed evidence of acute COVID-19 infection in our patient population despite the consensus that COVID-19 infection is dissipating.

Spatio-temporal epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in pig populations of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, 2013-2022.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is endemic in India. Although pigs are considered important hosts and sentinels for JE outbreaks in people, limited information is available on JE virus (JEV) surveillance in pigs. We investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of JEV seroprevalence and its association with climate variables in 4451 samples from pigs in 10 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, over 10 years from 2013 to 2022. The mean seroprevalence of IgG (2013-2022) and IgM (2017-2022) was 14% (95% CI 12.8-15.2) and 10.98% (95% CI 9.8-12.2), respectively. Throughout the region, higher seroprevalence from 2013 to 2017 was observed and was highly variable with no predictable spatio-temporal pattern between districts. Seroprevalence of up to 60.8% in Sant Kabir Nagar in 2016 and 69.5% in Gorakhpur district in 2017 for IgG and IgM was observed, respectively. IgG seroprevalence did not increase with age. Monthly time-series decomposition of IgG and IgM seroprevalence demonstrated annual cyclicity (3-4 peaks) with seasonality (higher, broader peaks in the summer and monsoon periods). However, most variance was due to the overall trend and the random components of the time series. Autoregressive time-series modelling of pigs sampled from Gorakhpur was insufficiently predictive for forecasting; however, an inverse association between humidity (but not rainfall or temperature) was observed. Detection patterns confirm seasonal epidemic periods within year-round endemicity in pigs in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Lack of increasing age-associated seroprevalence indicates that JEV might not be immunizing in pigs which needs further investigation because models that inform public health interventions for JEV could be inaccurate if assuming long-term immunity in pigs. Although pigs are considered sentinels for human outbreaks, sufficient timeliness using sero-surveillance in pigs to inform public health interventions to prevent JEV in people will require more nuanced modelling than seroprevalence and broad climate variables alone.

Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among Aborted Women in Aden, Yemen

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one member of Herpesviridae. It can cause serious complications in pregnant women and their fetuses. So, this study aims to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM against HCMV among aborted women and other related factors in Aden–Yemen. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 aborted women. Blood samples were collected and serum HCMV IgG and IgM were analyzed using ELISA. The overall prevalence of IgG and IgM of HCMV infections were 77.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Neither HCMV IgG nor IgM seroprevalence had significantly influenced by age, number of abortions, education level, trimesters, and other factors. It can be concluded that the seroprevalence IgG antibodies of HCMV infections among aborted women were slightly lower than those reported globally whereas the seroprevalence IgM antibodies were higher than most of the previous studies that performed globally. Other causative factors may also contribute to abortion among aborted women. Further research is required to detect the HCMV and other causative agents of abortion in Aden and other southern governments of Yemen using adequate sample size and new advanced techniques.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among children with autism

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is considered one of the most common public health troubles. Among these health troubles, toxoplasmosis was recently linked to many neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in children with ASD.MethodsThe study was conducted on 100 children, grouped in two groups; group 1 (patient group) included 50 children with ASD and group 2 (control group) included 50 healthy children. ASD in the patient group was diagnosed according to DSM 5 criteria of ASD. Every child involved in this study underwent a history taking, a clinical examination, and laboratory investigations to detect serum anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Children of the patient group were further assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale to evaluate the severity of their symptoms.ResultsThe seroprevalence of IgG among ASD children was highly significant compared to the healthy children. The detected difference between the 2 groups regarding seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies was insignificant. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between Toxoplasma infection and severity of autistic symptoms in the ASD group. Furthermore, the study revealed an increase in anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in ASD children with positive family history of ASD rather than those with no such history. In addition, an increase in seroprevalence of both anti-Toxoplasma antibodies among children with low socioeconomic standards compared to children with moderate or high standards.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the old but not the recent infection with Toxoplasma in children could be linked to their ASD.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Seroprevalence in Tyrol, Austria, among 28,768 Blood Donors between May 2022 and March 2023.

To provide updated estimates on SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and average antibody titres for Central Europe. In repeat cross-sectional investigations (1 May 2022 to 9 March 2023) involving 28,768 blood donors in the Federal State of Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 87.0%), we measured Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and Nucleocapsid IgG antibodies (37,065 and 12,645 samples), and estimated monthly seroprevalences and geometric mean titres. Median age of participants was 45.4 years (range 18-70); 43.2% were female. Spike RBD IgG antibody seroprevalence was 96.3% (95% CI: 95.6-96.9%) in May 2022, 97.4% (96.7-98.0%) in December 2022, and 97.9% (96.4-98.8%) in March 2023. Among seropositive participants, geometric mean titres increased from 1400 BAU/mL (95% CI: 1333-1471) in May 2022 to 1821 BAU/mL (1717-1932) in December 2022, and dropped to 1559 BAU/mL (1405-1729) by March 2023. Furthermore, titres differed markedly by vaccination status and history of infection, with being the highest in participants with booster vaccination and prior infection. In autumn 2022, Nucleocapsid IgG antibody seroprevalence ranged from 36.5% (35.0-38.1) in September to 39.2% (37.2-41.2) in December 2022. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood donors from Tyrol, Austria, was remarkably stable from May 2022 to March 2023. In contrast, average Spike RBD IgG antibody titres peaked in December 2022.

Intrauterine Transmission of Zika and Vertical Transfer of Neutralizing Antibodies Detected Immediately at Birth in Oaxaca, Mexico: An Analysis in the Context of Microcephaly.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause neurological issues in infants. To provide protection, neutralizing antibodies should be transferred from the mother to the infant. We conducted a study at the Hospital General de Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples were collected from mothers (blood and breast milk) and infants (saliva and dried blood spots) within the first 12 postnatal hours (December 2017 to February 2018) and tested for ZIKV total and neutralizing antibodies as well as ZIKV-PCR. Microcephaly was evaluated according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Maternal IgG seroprevalence was 28.4% with 10.4% active infection, while infant IgG seroprevalence was 5.5% with 2.4% active infection. There were two cases of virolactia, and 6.3% of the infant saliva samples tested positive for ZIKV. Additionally, 18.3% of the infants were in a cephalic perimeter percentile lower than 10 and had an association between microcephaly and serology or a PCR between 8.6 and 60.9%. The infant blood samples had neutralizing antibodies, indicating intrauterine protection. Microcephaly was correlated with serology or PCR, but in our study population, non-ZIKV factors may be involved as well. Low ZIKV infection values in breast milk mean that breastfeeding is safe in most of the mothers and infants of the endemic area studied.

Seroprevalence of dengue IgG and associated risk factors in symptomatic and asymptomatic adults in Posadas (Misiones, Argentina), 2017-2019

BackgroundDengue represents a major public health problem in the Americas in general, and in Posadas (Misiones, Argentina) in particular. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of dengue virus infection, analyze associated factors, and determine the proportion of asymptomatic cases. MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study took place from November 2017 to April 2019 in the High Complexity Laboratory of Misiones, at the School Hospital Dr. Ramón Madariaga in Posadas. A random sample of 301 adults (≥ 15 years) was selected from the electoral registry and stratified by geographical area of residence. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected by means of a survey and serology. Results were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. ResultsThe median age of the sample was 33 years; 66% were women, and 46.5% had completed at least secondary school. Anti-dengue IgG antibodies were present in 40.2% of the sample (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.5–45.9%), including 90% of those who reported dengue and 20.5% who did not (odds ratio [OR] 33.25, 95% CI 15.46–71.51, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, group, gender, and vaccination against yellow fever, seropositivity was associated with having relatives with dengue (adjusted OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.18–7.23; p < 0.001). ConclusionSeroprevalence for dengue in Posadas was higher than estimates based on the notification records, and there was a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. Educational level and having a family member who had suffered from dengue were associated with positive serology.

Seroepidemiology of Herpes Simplex Viruses Type 1 and 2 in Pregnant Women in Croatia.

Background and Objectives: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are one of the most widespread causes of human viral infections. In Croatia, only two published studies have analyzed the seroprevalence of HSV infections in childbearing-aged and pregnant women (2005-2010), while more recent data are lacking. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors for HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections among pregnant women in Croatia in the period from 2011 to 2021. Materials and Methods: This study included 667 pregnant women aged 16-45 years submitted for HSV-1 and HSV-2 serology testing. Serum samples were initially screened for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using a commercial ELISA test with a confirmation of HSV-2-positive samples using an immunoblot assay. Results: The overall IgG seroprevalence rates were 69.9% for HSV-1 and 3.8% for HSV-2. A significant gradual increase in the HSV-2 seroprevalence with age was observed from 0.5% in participants under 30 years to 8.3% in participants above 40 years. The HSV-1 seroprevalence was stable up to 40 years (70.0 and 68.3%, respectively), with an increase to 86.1%, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Area of residence (urban or suburban/rural), geographic region (continental or coastal), and obstetric history (normal pregnancy or unfavorable obstetric history) were not associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence. Older age was found to be a significant risk factor for HSV-2 seropositivity in both univariate and multivariate risk analysis. Conclusions: HSV-1 infection is widely prevalent among pregnant women with a stable trend over time. However, a declining trend in the HSV-2 seroprevalence was observed compared to 2005-2010. Serological screening in pregnant women is important in identifying seronegative women who are susceptible to HSV infection as well as seropositive women who are at risk for genital herpes recurrence during delivery.

Seroprevalence of Rubella in Pregnant Women at the Military Hospital Oued Eddahab Agadir, Morocco

Rubella is an epidemic rash that is generally benign, but dangerous for pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy, due to the teratogenic power of the virus. It causes spontaneous abortion, fetal death, premature delivery and congenital malformations known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The aim of this study was to determine the rubella immune status in all pregnant women consulting or being tested at the Medical Biology Department of the Oued Eddahab Military Hospital in Agadir. An 18-month retrospective cross-sectionnal study was conducted from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 to assess the IgG seroprevalence of rubella in 1393 pregnant women aged 19 to 43 years old of any gestationnal age using the Architect i1000SR Analyzer. Of the 1393 pregnant women tested, 1184 (85%) were seropositive. Despite of the vaccination recommandations after their anterior pregnancy, 07% of multiparous remained seronegativ. Preventive measures against congenital rubella must be reinforced and vaccination awareness campaigns, particularly for unimmunized multiparous women, remain essential.

Seroprevalence of Anti-Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Pregnant Women from South-West Romania.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), in addition to other agents, is part of the TORCH complex (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex viruses, and other agents). CMV infection is the most frequent cause of congenital malformations. This study aimed to establish the variation of prevalence of anti-CMV antibodies in pregnant women from the South-West region of Romania, according to demographic factors, such as age and area of residence, in two separate time periods (2013-2016 and 2019-2022). We collected from the hospital records the age, place of residence, and anti-CMV antibody test results using immune electrochemiluminescence and chemiluminescence. This study found that the seroprevalence of anti-CMV IgM antibodies increased slightly from 2013-2016 to 2019-2022, from 1.92% to 2.26%, and for IgG antibodies from 93.68% to 94.96%. In both groups was observed a descending trend of anti-CMV IgM seroprevalence with an increase in age, showing a decrease in seroprevalence from 3.57% to 1.09% in pregnant women from rural areas in the 31-35 years age group, while in urban areas, we observed a decrease in seroprevalence from 11.11% to 3.06% in the <20 years age group. The IgG seroprevalence showed an increase both in rural areas (from 93.97% to 95.52%) and urban areas (from 93.52% to 94.27%). In both groups, seroprevalence was higher in rural areas compared to urban regions. These results show a high rate of immunization against CMV in pregnant women in South-West Romania, which led to a low risk of acquiring the primary infection during pregnancy. However, the increase in the rate of primary CMV infections in pregnancy suggests the need for prioritizing screening programs and improving the existing protocols to enhance maternal and child healthcare.

Assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic progression in Ecuador through seroprevalence analysis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies in blood donors.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe respiratory illness caused by the RNA virus SARS-CoV-2. Globally, there have been over 759.4 million cases and 6.74 million deaths, while Ecuador has reported more than 1.06 million cases and 35.9 thousand deaths. To describe the COVID-19 pandemic impact and the vaccinations effectiveness in a low-income country like Ecuador, we aim to assess the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a sample from healthy blood donors at the Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana. The present seroprevalence study used a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies in months with the highest confirmed case rates (May 2020; January, April 2021; January, February, June, July 2022) and months with the highest vaccination rates (May, June, July, August, December 2021) in Quito, Ecuador. The IgG and IgM seroprevalence were also assessed based on sex, age range, blood type and RhD antigen type. The sample size was 8,159, and sampling was performed based on the availability of each blood type. The results showed an overall IgG and IgM seroprevalence of 47.76% and 3.44%, respectively. There were no differences in IgG and IgM seroprevalences between blood groups and sex, whereas statistical differences were found based on months, age range groups, and RhD antigen type. For instance, the highest IgG seroprevalence was observed in February 2022 and within the 17-26 years age range group, while the highest IgM seroprevalence was in April 2021 and within the 47-56 years age range group. Lastly, only IgG seroprevalence was higher in RhD+ individuals while IgM seroprevalence was similar across RhD types. This project contributes to limited data on IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Ecuador. It suggests that herd immunity may have been achieved in the last evaluated months, and highlights a potential link between the RhD antigen type and COVID-19 susceptibility. These findings have implications for public health strategies and vaccine distribution not only in Ecuador but also in regions with similar characteristics.

Rubella seroprevalence among unvaccinated school-aged children in Jos, North Central, Nigeria.

rubella poses a significant public health threat, particularly in developing countries, where congenital rubella remains a preventable concern. This cross-sectional study examined rubella seroprevalence among children aged 10 and under from May to September 2016 in Jos, Nigeria. using a multistage sampling method, eligible participants who had not been vaccinated against the rubella virus and consented to participate in the study were recruited across schools in the city. Rubella-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected from eluted serum collected from the participants using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data analysis and visualization was done using the R software version 4.3.1. of the 405 participants investigated in this study, 336 (82.96%) tested positive for rubella IgG, while 9 (2.22%) tested positive for rubella IgM. Factors such as age ≥ 5 years and lack of Western education showed significant associations with rubella seropositivity. this study highlights the seroprevalence of rubella IgG and IgM antibodies among children aged 10 and under in Jos, Nigeria. The significant associations between rubella seropositivity and factors such as age ≥ 5 years and lack of Western education underscore the necessity for an effective rubella vaccination program to prevent congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG seroprevalence in the general population in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2000-2023.

Toxoplasmosis ranks among the most prevalent parasitic diseases globally. It seems that chronic toxoplasmosis is associated with several neuropsychiatric and other harmful effects in infected people, therefore, there is a need to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis across various world regions. In this study, we conducted a meticulous meta-analysis to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies within the general population in Iran (GPI). International and national scientific databases for studies published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2023, were searched. Observational studies reporting anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in the GPI was selected/included. The data were synthesized using a random-effects model to calculate with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) the national and regional anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence rates in Iran. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the frequency of exposition to T. gondii in different socio-demographic, climatic, and geographical scenarios. From 18661 identified studies, 327 were included in the present meta-analysis, encompassing 122,882 individuals across the 31 Iranian provinces. The pooled nationwide anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence among the GPI was determined to be 32.9% (95% CI: 30.9-35.1%). The highest anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was observed in Mazandaran province (North of Iran) (61%), whereas the lowest was in Semnan province (12.5%).Anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence demonstrated a higher occurrence in provinces characterized by moderate temperatures of 16-21°C, high relative humidity, and annual precipitation. Additionally, a higher anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was identified among individuals with a habit of consumption of undercooked meat, raw fruits or vegetables, and untreated water. Moreover, those reporting direct contact with cats, possessing a lower level of education, residing in rural areas, being engaged in farming occupations, or playing the role of housewives exhibited higher anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence figures.The anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence within GPI closely aligns with the estimated worldwide average exposition rates. This underscores the imperative for public health policymakers to prioritize educational efforts regarding toxoplasmosis transmission pathways and its link to harmful effects.