Hantavirus Infection, Brazil | CDC EID

EID Journal Home > Volume 15, Number 12–December 2009

Volume 15, Number 12–December 2009
Dispatch
Cross-sectional Survey of Hantavirus Infection, Brazil
Jean E. Limongi, Fabíola C. da Costa, Rogério M.C. Pinto, Renata C. de Oliveira, Camila Bragagnolo, Elba R.S. Lemos, Márcia B.C. de Paula, Adalberto A. Pajuaba Neto, and Marcelo S. Ferreira
Author afilliations: Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil (J.E Limongi, F.C. da Costa, R.M.C. Pinto, M.S. Ferreira); Department of Public Health, Uberlândia (J.E Limongi, M.B.C. de Paula, A.A. Pajuaba Neto); and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (R.C. de Oliveira, C. Bragagnolo, E.R.S. Lemos)

Suggested citation for this article

Abstract
A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted to assess the proportion of persons exposed to hantaviruses in a virus-endemic area of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Findings of this study suggested the presence of >1 hantaviruses circulating in this region causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, mild disease, or asymptomatic infection.

In Brazil, >1,080 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) have been confirmed since 1993 (case-fatality rate 40%). More HPS cases (209) are reported in the state of Minas Gerais than in any other state in Brazil (M.L. Nunes, pers. comm.). In Minas Gerais, molecular studies identified a hantavirus called Araraquara virus associated with HPS cases. The wild rodent Necromys lasiurus (the hairy-tailed bolo mouse, also named Bolomys lasiurus) was implicated as a reservoir of this virus (1). Because asymptomatic infection with hantaviruses also has been detected in Minas Gerais, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the proportion of persons exposed to hantaviruses and to identify associated risk factors.

abrir aquí para acceder al documento CDC EID del que se reproduce una pequeña porción:
Hantavirus Infection, Brazil | CDC EID