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High prevalence rates of antibody to three sandfly fever viruses (Sicilian, Naples and Toscana) among Cypriots

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

R. Eitrem*
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, S-10521 Stockholm, Sweden Department of Virology, Karolinska Institutec/o SBL S-0521 Stockholm, Sweden
M. Stylianou
Affiliation:
New Larnaca Hospital, Laboratory, Larnaca, Cyprus
B. Niklasson
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, S-10521 Stockholm, Sweden National Defence Research Establishment, FOA-5, S-172 90 Sundbyberg, Sweden
*
*Rickard Eitrem, MD. Department of Infectious Disease Control. Central Hospital. S-371 85 Karlskrona, Sweden
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Summary

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Neutralizing antibodies to sandfly fever Naples, sandfly fever Sicilian and Toscana viruses were investigated among 479 sera collected from a normal human population in Cyprus. Antibody prevalence rates of 57%, 32% and 20% were found to Naples, Sicilian and Toscana viruses, respectively. The observed frequency of dual and triple infections was higher than would be expected with a random chance of infection. Antibody prevalence rates were similar for men and women for all three viruses tested, but one of two study sites had significantly higher antibody prevalence to Naples and Sicilian viruses than the other. Individuals with antibodies to both Naples and Toscana viruses had higher antibody levels to Naples virus than those with antibodies to Naples virus only. If the antibody prevalence rates found in this study reflect a history of clinical disease as described in the literature, sandfly fever poses a significant public health problem in Cyprus.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

References

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