Seroepidemiology of Hantavirus in the Philippines.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine the seroepidemiology of Hantavirus infection in the Philippines.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study done in asymptomatic volunteers from various communities in the Philippines selected by a stratified multistage sampling design. Antibody to Hantavirus was detected by particle agglutination (PA) test using Hantadia high-density particle agglutination (HDPA) reagent kit.


RESULTS
The prevalence of positive Hantavirus antibody among 461 subjects was the same in both males (6.1%) and females (6.1%) in rural (7.6%), urban (5.6%), and urban poor (5.1%) populations.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Hantavirus infection in the Filipino population is comparable to that seen in other developing countries. The HDPA can be conveniently used as a rapid tool to detect the Hantavirus antibody for seroepidemiologic and diagnostic purposes.
Quelapio
I D
ID
Tropical Disease Foundation, Makati Medical Center, Makati City, Philippines.
Villa
L
L
Clarin
S M
SM
Bacosa
M
M
Tupasi
T E
TE
D000328:Adult; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014505:Urban Population
D000914:Antibodies, Viral