Seroprevalence and distribution of arboviral infections among rural Kenyan adults: A cross-sectional study

Luke E. Mease*, Rodney L. Coldren, Lillian A. Musila, Trish Prosser, Fredrick Ogolla, Victor O. Ofula, Randal J. Schoepp, Cindy A. Rossi, Nicholas Adungo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Arthorpod-borne viruses (arboviruses) cause wide-spread morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, but little research has documented the burden and distribution of these pathogens. Methods. Using a population-based, cross-sectional study design, we administered a detailed questionnaire and used ELISA to test the blood of 1,141 healthy Kenyan adults from three districts for the presence of anti-viral Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the following viruses: dengue (DENV), West Nile (WNV), yellow fever (YFV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), and Rift Valley fever (RVFV). Results: Of these, 14.4% were positive for DENV, 9.5% were WNV positive, 9.2% were YFV positive, 34.0% were positive for CHIKV and 0.7% were RVFV positive. In total, 46.6% had antibodies to at least one of these arboviruses. Conclusions: For all arboviruses, district of residence was strongly associated with seropositivity. Seroprevalence to YFV, DENV and WNV increased with age, while there was no correlation between age and seropositivity for CHIKV, suggesting that much of the seropositivity to CHIKV is due to sporadic epidemics. Paradoxically, literacy was associated with increased seropositivity of CHIKV and DENV.

Original languageEnglish
Article number371
JournalVirology Journal
Volume8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Kenya
  • Rift Valley fever virus
  • West Nile virus
  • arbovirus
  • chikungunya virus
  • dengue virus
  • flavivirus
  • yellow fever virus

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Seroprevalence and distribution of arboviral infections among rural Kenyan adults: A cross-sectional study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this