Rodent-borne infections in rural Ghanaian farming communities

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215224
• Publication Date: 2019-04-24T17:34:43Z
• Authors: Shirley C. Nimo-P...; Elisabeth Fichet-...; Benny Borremans; Andrew G. Letizia; Emad Mohareb; Joseph H. K. Bonney; Kwasi Obiri-Danso; William K. Ampofo; Randal J. Schoepp; Karl C. Kronmann
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Lassa fever

Rodents serve as reservoirs and/or vectors for several human infections of high morbidity and mortality in the tropics. Population growth demographic shifts over years have increased contact with these mammals, thereby increasing opportunities disease transmission. In Africa, burden rodent-borne diseases is not well described. To investigate seroprevalence selected pathogens, sera from 657 healthy adults ten rural communities Ghana were analyzed. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Lassa virus was positive 34 (5%) samples. Using commercial kits, hantavirus serotypes, Puumala Dobrava, Leptospira bacteria detected 11%, 12% 21% samples, respectively. Forty percent residents farming measurable at least one pathogens tested, including viral hemorrhagic fever viruses. The found associated both sporadic cases larger outbreaks will help define threats inform public health policy reduce underserved populations deter outbreaks.