Seropositivity diagnosis for hantavirus in Jataí, Goiás State, Brazil

Abstract Introduction: Emerging diseases are of great interest, especially those associated with high mortality rates such as hantaviruses. We aimed to conduct a seroepidemiological survey to determine the levels of hantavirus infection. Methods: In-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect specific antibodies. Results: Of the 429 samples collected, seropositivity of 3.9% to anti-hantavirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) was observed (CI 95%: 2.3-5.7). Moreover, in three cases, immunoglobulin M (IgM) was detected, of which two were diagnosed as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Conclusions: Our data indicate the considerable occurrence of previous hantavirus infections, highlighting occurrences from sub-clinical cases to HCPS. Keywords: Hantavirus. Zoonosis. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.Hantaviruses are an emerging zoonosis transmitted mainly by the inhalation of aerosols from the excreta of infected wild rodents. Following the inhalation, viral particles may invade endothelial cells and platelets through tropism by β-integrin receptors. Subsequently, a heightened immune response can lead to pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock as observed in hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). The evolution to this clinical picture reflects in a high case fatality rate ranging from 35 to 50% in several American countries