title: Seroprevalence of antibodies against dengue virus among pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.
abstract: Dengue fever has become a worldwide public health concern, threatening an estimated 40% of the world's population. However, most resources and attention are still focused on malaria, while dengue statuses are poorly recognized in many African countries. In this serological survey, dengue virus (DENV) transmission was demonstrated by using serum samples collected from 78 pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP) during 2003 to 2004. Immunofluorescence assay was performed and 31 samples (39.74%) were found positive for DENV antibodies. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that 53 samples (67.95%) were positive for dengue E IgG, and 38 samples (48.72%) were positive for NS1 IgG. A prevalence of 35.90% was therefore determined for dengue IgG by considering samples that yielded positive results by all three tests. Cross-reactions with other flaviviruses were examined by indirect ELISA against Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever virus. Only one sample exhibited stronger absorbance against Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. Moreover, one sample was positive for dengue IgM. These results agreed with the previous researches in neighboring countries and suggested DENV exposure. The study contributes to raising public awareness of dengue and supporting future control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: d00849002@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Tsai-Ying
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Electronic address: mjesus344@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Trovoada dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Taiwan Anti-malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Electronic address: titinatseng@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lien-Feng
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.affiliation: Research and Diagnostic Center, Center for Disease Control, The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: vivi@cdc.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Shu-Feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Taiwan Anti-malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Electronic address: again1118@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chien-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Centro National de Endemias, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Electronic address: arlindovac@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Arlindo Vicente de Assunção
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Research and Diagnostic Center, Center for Disease Control, The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: pyshu@cdc.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Pei-Yun
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: Taiwan Anti-malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe; Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: jclien1217@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jih-Ching
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.affiliation: Taiwan Anti-malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe; Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: kunhtsai@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Kun-Hsien
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001266:Atlantic Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M
keywords: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe; Dengue; Seroprevalence