Seroprevalence of anti-Lassa Virus IgG antibodies in three districts of Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional, population-based study
-
Published:2023-02-09
Issue:2
Volume:17
Page:e0010938
-
ISSN:1935-2735
-
Container-title:PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:PLoS Negl Trop Dis
Author:
Grant Donald S., Engel Emily J.ORCID, Roberts Yerkes Nicole, Kanneh Lansana, Koninga James, Gbakie Michael A., Alhasan Foday, Kanneh Franklyn B., Kanneh Ibrahim Mustapha, Kamara Fatima K., Momoh Mambu, Yillah Mohamed S., Foday Momoh, Okoli Adaora, Zeoli Ashley, Weldon Caroline, Bishop Christopher M., Zheng Crystal, Hartnett Jessica, Chao Karissa, Shore Kayla, Melnik Lilia I., Mucci Mallory, Bond Nell G., Doyle Philip, Yenni Rachael, Podgorski Rachel, Ficenec Samuel C., Moses Lina, Shaffer Jeffrey G., Garry Robert F., Schieffelin John S.
Abstract
Background
Lassa virus (LASV), the cause of the acute viral hemorrhagic illness Lassa fever (LF), is endemic in West Africa. Infections in humans occur mainly after exposure to infected excrement or urine of the rodent-host, Mastomys natalensis. The prevalence of exposure to LASV in Sierra Leone is crudely estimated and largely unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to establish a baseline point seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to LASV in three administrative districts of Sierra Leone and identify potential risk factors for seropositivity and LASV exposure.
Methodology and principal findings
Between 2015 and 2018, over 10,642 participants from Kenema, Tonkolili, and Port Loko Districts were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Previous LASV and LF epidemiological studies support classification of these districts as “endemic,” “emerging,” and “non-endemic”, respectively. Dried blood spot samples were tested for LASV antibodies by ELISA to determine the seropositivity of participants, indicating previous exposure to LASV. Surveys were administered to each participant to assess demographic and environmental factors associated with a higher risk of exposure to LASV. Overall seroprevalence for antibodies to LASV was 16.0%. In Kenema, Port Loko, and Tonkolili Districts, seroprevalences were 20.1%, 14.1%, and 10.6%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, individuals were more likely to be LASV seropositive if they were living in Kenema District, regardless of sex, age, or occupation. Environmental factors contributed to an increased risk of LASV exposure, including poor housing construction and proximity to bushland, forested areas, and refuse.
Conclusions and significance
In this study we determine a baseline LASV seroprevalence in three districts which will inform future epidemiological, ecological, and clinical studies on LF and the LASV in Sierra Leone. The heterogeneity of the distribution of LASV and LF over both space, and time, can make the design of efficacy trials and intervention programs difficult. Having more studies on the prevalence of LASV and identifying potential hyper-endemic areas will greatly increase the awareness of LF and improve targeted control programs related to LASV.
Funder
United States Agency for International Development
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subject
General Earth and Planetary Sciences,General Environmental Science
Reference74 articles.
1. Isolation, identification, and characterization of novel arenaviruses, the etiological agents of boid inclusion body disease;U Hetzel;Journal of virology,2013 2. Detection of novel divergent arenaviruses in boid snakes with inclusion body disease in The Netherlands;R Bodewes;Journal of General Virology,2013 3. Identification, characterization, and in vitro culture of highly divergent arenaviruses from boa constrictors and annulated tree boas: candidate etiological agents for snake inclusion body disease.;MD Stenglein;MBio.,2012 4. Lassa fever in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, 1970–1972. I. Epidemiologic studies;DW Fraser;Am J Trop Med Hyg,1974
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. Lassa Fever Natural History and Clinical Management;Lassa Fever: Epidemiology, Immunology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics;2023
|
|