[Human infection by Hantavirus in southern and southeastern Brazil]

The results of serological investigation on Hantavírus antibodies carried out between February 1986 and August 1990 in human populations of the States of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil, which had close contact with urban rats or wild rodents and others small mammals are described. OBJECTIVE--To identify the human infection caused by Hantavíruses, which are the etiological agents of Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. METHODS--Sera from 1063 persons were tested by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to Hantaan, Seoul and Puumala antigens. Plaque reduction neutralization test to the same antigens and indirect immunofluorescent test to Hantaan antigen were performed in the positive sera. RESULTS--Antibodies to Hantaan, Seoul or Puumala viruses were detected in 32 persons by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and immunofluorescent test. Plaque reduction neutralization test performed in these 32 sera were positive in 5 (3 for Puumala and 2 for Seoul viruses). One serum reacted with high titer to Seoul virus in all tests. It was from a male resident in the rural area of Ribeira Valley, State of São Paulo, where he was born and has always lived. He had only travelled inside the State of São Paulo. CONCLUSION--There are serological evidences of Hantavírus infections in residents of the rural areas of the Amparo Island, Paranaguá Bay, State of Paraná and the Ribeira Valley, State of São Paulo; in employees of the port of Paranaguá, State of Paraná and in patients of the Emílio Ribas Hospital, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, who had a presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis.