A survey for antibodies to Lassa virus among health workers in Nigeria.

Abstract

A study was conducted among 552 health workers at 6 health facilities in Nigeria. Lassa virus immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody was detected in 12.3%, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody prevalence in the 6 health centres ranged from 1.2% to 27.3%. Prevalences were higher in primary and secondary health facilities than in tertiary centres. Seroprevalences ranged from 1.7% to 23.7% among different occupational groups of health workers; the highest observed antibody prevalence was among ward aids. Lassa virus IgM antibody, indicating recent infection, was present in 6 of the health workers, 5 of whom were ward aids and one was a nurse. All of the health workers with specific IgM came from a single facility in Lafia, sampled during an outbreak of Lassa fever.

• Authors: M D Bajani, O Tomori, P E Rollin, T O Harry, N D Bukbuk, L Wilson, J E Childs, C J Peters, T G Ksiazek
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) 1997 Jul-Aug Vol. 91 Issue 4 Pg. 379-81 ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England
• PMID: 9373625 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Community Health Workers
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Health Personnel
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Lassa virus (immunology)
• Nigeria