[Detection of laboratory infections caused by Junín virus using the neutralization and immunofluorescence technics...

To study Junin virus infection among laboratory workers and to compare immunofluorescence and neutralization tests, blood samples were taken from 48 individuals, of which 42 were considered high risk personnel. None of the 16 low risk workers exhibited antibodies. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in 15 high risk laboratory workers. Nine of the latter were already known to carry antibodies from a previous survey in 1978. Titers detected were either at previous levels or slightly higher. Of the remaining 6 out of the 15 positive cases, 3 showed mild clinical and subclinical infection, equivalent to a 12% incidence rate over the 1978-1980 period. An adequate correlation was observed between neutralization and immunofluorescence test: 66.6% for both positive tests and 97.1% for both negative tests. Although the immunofluorescence test ies easier to perform the neutralization test appears to be more reliable clinically. The overall prevalence rate of neutralizing antibodies among non-vaccinated personnel was almost 19%, which warns against the health hazard involved in Junin virus handling.