A survey for antibodies to Lassa virus among health workers in Nigeria

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1997 Jul-Aug;91(4):379-81. doi: 10.1016/s0035-9203(97)90247-9.

Abstract

A study was conducted among 552 health workers at 6 health facilities in Nigeria. Lassa virus immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody was detected in 12.3%, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody prevalence in the 6 health centres ranged from 1.2% to 27.3%. Prevalences were higher in primary and secondary health facilities than in tertiary centres. Seroprevalences ranged from 1.7% to 23.7% among different occupational groups of health workers; the highest observed antibody prevalence was among ward aids. Lassa virus IgM antibody, indicating recent infection, was present in 6 of the health workers, 5 of whom were ward aids and one was a nurse. All of the health workers with specific IgM came from a single facility in Lafia, sampled during an outbreak of Lassa fever.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Community Health Workers
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Lassa virus / immunology*
  • Nigeria

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M