Original scientific paper

Flaviviruses in the north-west Croatia

Dragutin Golubić ; Županijska bolnica Čakovec, Infektologija, Čakovec, Hrvatska
Gerhard Dobler ; Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to flaviviruses, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Dengue virus (DENV) in the north-western part of Croatia. Three hunderd samples of sera were obtained from blood donors in 1997 and again in 2007 in the Međimurje County, a known endemic region for TBE in the north-western part of Croatia. The presence of IgG antibodies was assessed for TBEV, WNV, and DENV by ELISA and for confirmation of positive results by indirect immunofluorescence using Flavivirus Biochips. In 1997, out of 300 sera, 9 (3%) were positive to TBEV. In 2007 we found 48 (16%) positive sera for TBEV, 1 (0.3%) for WNVand none for DENV. Our data have documented an increase in TBEV seroprevalence among the population of northwestern Croatia, which is probably the result of a more frequent vaccination against TBEV and also the presence of definitive past WNVinfection in Croatia, confirmed by decumented exposure of the healthy population to WNV. Dengue fever can be imported by people coming from or visiting an endemic area. The results of this study will help public health authorities to determine and plan appropriate intervention and prevention strategies.

Keywords

Flavivuruses; serology; north-west Croatia

Hrčak ID:

105056

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/105056

Publication date:

30.12.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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