title: Serosurvey of pathogenic hantaviruses among forestry workers in Hungary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to survey the prevalence of human hantavirus infections among forestry workers, who are considered a risk population for contracting the disease. Sera collected from volunteers were tested for antibodies against Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) viruses.
  
  
  METHODS
  For serological analyses, full capsid proteins of DOBV and PUUV viruses were produced in a bacterial expression system, while Ni-resin was used for protein purification. Samples were screened for anti-hantavirus antibodies by ELISA, results were confirmed by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 835 samples collected from 750 males and 85 females were tested by indirect ELISA and positive test results were confirmed by Western blot assay. Out of the 45 ELISA-reactive samples, 38 were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The regional distribution of seropositive individuals was as follows: 1.9% (2/107) in the Danube-Tisza Plateau (Great Plains), 3.1% (10/321) in the Southern Transdanubian region, 5.2% (13/248) in the Northern Transdanubian, and 8.2% (13/159) in the North Hungarian Mountains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show marked geographic differences in seroprevalence of pathogenic hantaviruses within Hungary, indicating elevated exposure to hantavirus infections in some areas.
authors.affiliation: Szentágothai Research Center, Virological Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oldal
authors.forename: Viktória
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Németh
authors.forename: Mónika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madai
authors.forename: Réka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pintér
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kemenesi
authors.forename: Bianka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dallos
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kutas
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sebők
authors.forename: Győző
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.forename: Krisztián
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bányai
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jakab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral