Hepatitis C and arboviral antibodies in the island populations of Mauritius and Rodrigues

J Med Virol. 1994 Dec;44(4):379-83. doi: 10.1002/jmv.1890440411.

Abstract

A serological survey for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue viruses (DEN), West Nile virus (WN), and sindbis virus (SIN) was carried out in sera of selected groups of the population of the Islands of Mauritius (n = 449) and Rodrigues (n = 115), Indian Ocean. 8.3% of 564 sera were positive for anti-HCV. In Mauritius, 2.1% of sera of healthy individuals were found with anti-HCV. The highest prevalence was found in sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients and prison inmates with 46.2% and 43.8%, respectively. None of the sera from blood donors sampled from Rodrigues Island had anti-HCV. Antibodies to arboviruses were detected in sera of individuals from both islands. Anti-DEN IgG was detected in 3.8% of sera from Mauritius and 0.9% from Rodrigues. Anti-WN IgG was detected in 2.2% of sera from Mauritius and 0.9% from Rodrigues. All sera from Rodrigues were without anti-SIN IgG, 1.1% of those from Mauritius were positive. This suggests that arboviruses occur on these islands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Arboviruses / immunology*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dengue Virus / immunology
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / analysis*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mauritius
  • Middle Aged
  • Sindbis Virus / immunology
  • West Nile virus / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies