title: Seroprevalence of dengue in the general population of Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the extent of dengue virus exposure in the population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this seroepidemiological study, 685 blood samples were collected (from April 2007 to July 2009) from two subject groups: (i) 344 samples from anonymous blood donors of the Hong Kong Red Cross and (ii) 341 samples from healthy volunteers recruited from a university, a community centre and a hospital. Demographic information and travel history were collected for the second subject group. All blood samples were subjected to the PanBio Dengue IgG Indirect ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-dengue virus IgG was detected in 1.6% of the blood samples. Individuals who visited countries in Southeast Asia in the past year were significantly associated with seropositivity (P = 0.03, OR 5.38, CI 1.13-25.54).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall dengue seroprevalence was 1.6%, and visit to Southeast Asia was the only independent predictor for seropositivity. Although the current situation is not alarming, frequent travel, presence of mosquito vector and emergence of local cases suggest that the risk of dengue virus infection within the local community cannot be overlooked, and continuous vigilance is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Constance Lh
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Shea Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Polly Hm
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology*; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D001782:Blood Donors; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Hong Kong; anti-DV IgG; dengue; seroprevalence