Serological study of Japanese encephalitis in Nepal.
Antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were examined in 356 serum samples from individuals visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital using neutralization test. A total of 13.2% (47/356) seropositivity was observed. Antibody positivity against both Nakayama-NIH and Beijing-1 strains was seen in 7.9% subjects. Infection by Nakayama-NIH strain alone was seen to be 4.2% while 1.1% of study populations were found to be infected only by Beijing-1 strain. High antibody titer was observed in the 20-40 years age-group and did not increase with age. Seropositivity was more common in zone-A (Tarai) area compared to zone-B (Hills) and zone-C (Mountains). Spectrum of antigenicity of JEV in zone-A as shown by neutralization test was identical to Indian isolates (strains). Difference in seropositivity was observed against Nakayama-NIH and Beijing-1 strain in zone-B and C indicating recent spread of JEV in these areas.
Kubo
T
T
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Faculty, Kathmandu.
Rai
S K
SK
Rawal
S
S
Yamano
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004463:Ecology; D004664:Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / Q000276:immunology*; D004672:Encephalitis, Japanese / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral