Sero-Epidemiological Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major viruses that cause respiratory infections in all generations, not only in neonates and infants. There is a limited number of reports on serological epidemiology of RSV subgroups A and B. Neutralizing test (NT) antibody reflects protective immunity but bothersome. Sero-epidemiological study should be performed using practical NT method. Methods: Two wild-type viruses subgroups A and B, isolated in 2013, and the Long strain was used as the challenge viruses. NT antibody with 100% inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) was examined. A total of 91 serum samples obtained from 0 to 12 years subjects without RSV infection who visited our hospital with some health problems and 121 sera obtained from healthy subjects in different age groups were used. Serological epidemiology of subgroups A and B was investigated in this study using new NT methods. Results: 1) A simple and practical NT method was developed. 2) The NT antibody titer was lowest in <1 year of age (5 × 21.70 ± 2.03 against subgroup A and 5 × 20.85 ± 1.31 against subgroup B) and increased in 3 years of age or older, and high antibody titers were maintained during school age. 3) A slight difference was observed in the NT antibody titers against subgroups A and Bin young children <3 years, but not after 3 years of age, reflecting the repeated infections. 4) Specific IgG antibody against RSV was measured. The IgG EIA values decreased with age. No association was observed between IgG EIA and NT titers. Conclusions: A simple NT assay method was developed in the present study. By the age of 3 years, high NT antibody titers were observed and maintained until 12 years. The IgG (EIA) values decreased with age. No association was observed between IgG (EIA) and NT titers.

Epidemiology and transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses in Kazakhstan

AIM: To investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the two major ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study of HBV and HCV seroprevalence was performed among individuals born in Kazakhstan with no history of chronic hepatitis or liver disease. RESULTS: There were 290 volunteers (140 Russians and 150 Kazakhs) aged 10 to 64 years, males accounted for 46%. Active HBV infection (HBsAg positive) was present in 3.8%, anti-HBc in 30%. The prevalence was similar in females and males (33% vs 25%) (P = 0.18). The prevalence of anti-HBc increased from 19% in 10-29 years old volunteers to 53% in 50-years and older volunteers. The prevalence of HBV infection was higher in married than in single adults (38% vs 26%, respectively) (P = 0.2) and more common in Kazakhs (35%) than in Russians (24%) (P = 0.07). HCV infection was present in 9 subjects (3.2%), 5 of them also were positive for anti-HBc in the absence of HBsAg. CONCLUSION: The frequency of active HBV infection (3.8%) coupled with a high prevalence of HBV exposure in those > 50 years of age increases with age, which suggests that horizontal transmission likely relates tothe use of contaminated needles. The low prevalence of HCV infection suggests that HBV and HCV are acquired differently in this group of subjects.

Serological and molecular study of hepatitis E virus among illegal blood donors

AIM： To investigate the seroprevalence and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus （HEV） in the illegal blood donors （IBDs） of central China in the early 1990s.

Exposure of abattoirs workers to rift valley fever virus infection in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Objective: To measure seroprevalence of Rift Valley Fever virus infection among abattoirs workers in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Abattoirs in the region (Jazan, Aseer and Al Qunfuda) were visited. Veterinarians and butchers were studied. Blood samples were then taken and tested for RVF-specific IgG and IgM (ELISAs). Results: The present study included 62 abattoir workers. None of whom tested were positive for RVF specific IgM. The overall prevalence of RVF IgG among butchers reached 8% (95% CI: 1.3 - 75.8). Among the 31 Bengali butchers 3 were RVF IgG positive giving a prevalence of 9.7 % (95% CI: 2.0 - 25.8), while among four Saudi butchers one was RVF IgG positive (25%, 95% CI: 1.3 - 75.8). Conclusions: The study documented the lack of recent RVF activity among abattoirs workers. High-risk, occupationally exposed abattoir workers represent a useful sentinel population for surveillance of RVF, especially in the absence of clinical disease.