Dupont, A.

Georges, A.

Gonzalez, Jean-Paul

Ivanoff, B.

Horizon / Pleins textes

no3 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIEXE (1987) 81, 519 
I Short Report 1 
Seroepidemiology of Hantaan-related virus 
in Gabon 
A. DUPON'I'', J. P. GONZALEZ~ A. G E O R G I ~ S ~  ANI)I B. IVANOFF 
'International Centre of Medical  Research 
(CIRMF),  P .B.  769, Franceville, Gabon; 'Viral 
Ecology Laboratory, O R S T O M ,  P . B .  923, Bangui, 
Central A frican Republic; 31nstitut Pasteur, P .B.  
923, Bangui, Central A frican Republic 
Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) 
has been described m a i n l y Y n í E i m  Europe. 
Serological evidence of infection by Hantaan or a 
related virus has more recently been reported in 
Africa: in Gabon, only one of 30 sera examined was 
positive (GONZALEZ et al., 1984). In Senegal, SALUZ- 
20 et al. (1985) reported a prevalence of 16.5% in 
inhabitants of Kabrousse, with 31% of tested rats 
seropositive. 
We have conducted an epidemiological survey in a 
village in the Province of Haut-Ogooue (south-east 
Gabon). We examined 213 people (80% of the 
population) and obtained blood samples. Antibodies 
to Hantaan virus were tested for by an indirect 
immunofluorescent assay, using as antigen Vero E6 
cells infected with strain 76-118 of Hantaan virus 
(GONZALEZ et al.,  1984). Of the 213 sera tested, 17 
(8%) were positive with IgG titres between 1 in 16 and 
1 in 128. IgM antibodies, at titres of 1 in 16 to 1 in 32, 
were found in 4 of the IgG positive sera but none of 
the IgG negative sera. The age range of individuals 
with positive serology was 4 to 70 years. No sex 
difference was observed. No symptom of haemorrha- 
gic or rena1 disease was noted. Urine examination, 
using semiquantitative strips, showed only 2 cases of 
low proteinuria (0*30g/l) and one of haematuria (>500 
RBC/pI). None of the 4 people with IgM antibodies 
had urine abnormalities. Creatinine levels were high 
519 
(>130 PmoYlitre) i n 4  cases including 2 of those with 
IgM antibodies. The mean. creatinine level was 
significantly higher in people with antibodies to 
Hantaan virus (134 Clmolllitre) than in 52 age and 
sex-matched controls (99 pmol/litre, P<O-OOl). 
It is difficult to evaluate the role of HFRS in febrile 
illnesses in rural Africa, which may have many other 
causes. None of the people with anti-HFRS anti- 
bodies had a haemorrhagic syndrome, but we have no 
other explanation for the elevated creatinine levels. 
These serological results confirm the presence of 
Hantaan-related virus in Gabon, and indicate a higher 
frequency than previously reported. The clinical 
picture appears similar to the non-haemorrhagic 
nephropathy described in northern Europe, or to the 
silent or atypical forms of HFRS postulated by 
TKACHENKO et al. (1982). 
As suggested by GIBBS et al. (1982), clinicians in 
Africa should be aware of the possible role of Hantaan 
or related viruses in patients presenting with fever of 
unknown origin, renal disfunction and no haemorrha- 
gic symptom. 
, 
References 
Gibbs, C. J. Jr, Takenaka, A. ,  Franko, M., Gajdusek, D. 
C. ,  Griffin, M.D. ,  Chields, J., Korch, G. W. & 
Wartzok, D. (1982). Seroepidemiology of Hantaan virus. 
Lancet, ¡i, 1406-1407. 
Gonzalez, J. P., MacCormick, J. B., Baudon, D., Gautun, 
J. P., Meunier, D., Dournon, E. 8r Georges, A. J. 
(1984). Serological evidence for Hantaan-related virus in 
Africa. Lancet, i¡, 1036-1037. 
Saluzzo, J. F., Digoutte, J. P., Adam, F., Bauer, S. & 
MacCormick, J. B. (1985). Serological evidence for 
Hantaan-related virus infection in rodents and man in 
Senegal. Transactions of the Royal Socisy of Tropical 
Medicine and Hygieve, 79, 874-875. 
Tkachenko, E. A., Dzagurova, T. R., Leschinsnkaya, E. 
V., Zagidulin, I. M. ,  Ustjugova, I. M., Gasanova, T. A., 
Rezapkin, G. V. & Miasnikov, J. A. (1982). Serological 
diagnosis of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome .in 
European region of USSR. Lancet, ¡i, 1407. 
Accepted for publication 2 December 1986. 


Seroepidemiology of Hantaan-related virus in Gabon

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