Pesquisa de anticorpos anti-hantavírus na população do estado de Alagoas

Abstract

The genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae, includes rodent-borne viruses that are transmitted to humans by inhalation of rodent secretions and excreta, or through direct contact with an infected rodent. They are associated with hemorrhagic fever and renal syndrome (HFRS) and with Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). In Brazil, more than 1,500 HCPS cases have been recorded, since 1993. In this study, it was investigated the presence of hantavirus antibodies in the population of Alagoas. For this, it was carried out an active surveillance for acute cases of hantavirus infection in hospitals of Alagoas State and also it was analyzed sera samples sent by LACEN-AL, from patients suspected of having other diseases, such as dengue and leptospirosis. In addition, it was investigated the presence of memory antibodies IgG to hantavirus in rural workers from Coruripe-AL, by performing a pilot study of serological survey in Usina Coruripe. Sera samples were tested by an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) in house for detection of hantavirus antibodies, using a recombinant N protein of Araraquara hantavirus as antigen. Of the 64 samples analyzed by serology from patients who were classified as suspected of HCPS or HFRS, none was positive for IgM anti-hantavirus, however, one (1,56%) was reagent for IgG anti-hantavirus. In the survey for antibodies in 124 patients with leptospirosis confirmed by LACEN-AL it was found three (2,42%) samples that were reagent for IgG to hantavirus and none of them was reagent for IgM. In the 170 patients with clinical suspicion of dengue but non-reagent for NS1 the survey for both IgM and IgG to hantavirus was negative. The pilot study of serological survey in Coruripe showed immunity against hantavirus in 10 (4%) of 250 studied workers, among which five attested that had never lived or travelled out of state of Alagoas. Taken together, our findings suggest the circulation of hantavirus in the state and its silent occurrence in the region, causing inapparent infections, or even symptomatic, but that remain undiagnosed. This study is pioneer in the surveillance for hantavirus in the state of Alagoas.