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Serosurvey of pathogenic hantaviruses among forestry workers in Hungary

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to survey the prevalence of human hantavirus infections among forestry workers, who are considered a risk population for contracting the disease. Sera collected from volunteers were tested for antibodies against Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) viruses.

Material and Methods

For serological analyses, full capsid proteins of DOBV and PUUV viruses were produced in a bacterial expression system, while Ni-resin was used for protein purification. Samples were screened for anti-hantavirus antibodies by ELISA, results were confirmed by Western blot analysis.

Results

A total of 835 samples collected from 750 males and 85 females were tested by indirect ELISA and positive test results were confirmed by Western blot assay. Out of the 45 ELISA-reactive samples, 38 were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The regional distribution of seropositive individuals was as follows: 1.9% (2/107) in the Danube-Tisza Plateau (Great Plains), 3.1% (10/321) in the Southern Transdanubian region, 5.2% (13/248) in the Northern Transdanubian, and 8.2% (13/159) in the North Hungarian Mountains.

Conclusions

Our data show marked geographic differences in seroprevalence of pathogenic hantaviruses within Hungary, indicating elevated exposure to hantavirus infections in some areas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

    Miklós Oldal, Viktória Németh, Mónika Madai, Réka Pintér, Gábor Kemenesi, Bianka Dallos, Anna Kutas & Ferenc Jakab

  2. Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

    Miklós Oldal, Viktória Németh, Mónika Madai, Réka Pintér, Gábor Kemenesi, Bianka Dallos, Anna Kutas, Győző Horváth & Ferenc Jakab

  3. Medical School, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

    Judit Sebők

  4. Center for Agricultural Research, Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

    Krisztián Bányai

Authors
  1. Miklós Oldal
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  2. Viktória Németh
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  3. Mónika Madai
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  4. Réka Pintér
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  5. Gábor Kemenesi
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  6. Bianka Dallos
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  7. Anna Kutas
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  8. Judit Sebők
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  9. Győző Horváth
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  10. Krisztián Bányai
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  11. Ferenc Jakab
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ferenc Jakab.

Additional information

Research activity of Ferenc Jakab was supported by the TÁMOP 4.2.4. A/2-11-1-2012 0001 — National Excellence Program Elaborating and Operating an Inland Student and Researcher Personal Support System. The project was subsidized by the European Union and co-financed by the European Social Fund. This study was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA; PD77977) project. Krisztián Bányai was supported by the “Momentum program.”

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Oldal, M., Németh, V., Madai, M. et al. Serosurvey of pathogenic hantaviruses among forestry workers in Hungary. IJOMEH 27, 766–773 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0308-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0308-2

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