[Serologic detection of hantavirus antibodies]

Within the framework of diagnosis of highly dangerous infections in the Army of the Czech Republic serological assessment of hantaviral antibodies was introduced. Because military units in the field can be in contact with sources of hantaviral infections, the authors investigated this population sample. In 1999-2000 a total of 542 healthy subjects were examined (age 20-40 years). Hantaviral antibodies were detected in 9. In three antibodies against the serotype Hantaan were found, in two antibodies against serotype Puumala and in four against serotype Seoul. The mean seropositivity was 1.66%. As compared with results which were obtained in the National Institute of Public Health in Prague in 1998 in a sample of the general population (430 subjects) where seropositivity of hantaviral antibodies was 0.93% the seropositivity in military units is higher. It is thus essential to make this laboratory diagnosis in the laboratories of the Army of the Czech Republic.