Antibody to dengue 1 detected more than 60 years after infection

Abstract

We investigated the duration of humoral responses to dengue virus infection in individuals who recalled experiencing dengue fever-like illnesses at the time of the Second World War, when dengue fever epidemics occurred throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia. In July 1943 dengue fever reappeared in Hawaii following an interval of 31 years. Over the next 12 months a total of 1498 locally transmitted cases were reported, and at least 46 imported cases were identified, most of which were among members of the military returning from the Pacific Theatre of the war. Serum samples collected in 2005, more than 60 years after onset of symptoms, were tested for the presence of dengue-specific antibodies using a rapid ELISA test, and by plaque reduction neutralization test. Four of seven samples were positive for dengue-specific IgG and demonstrated neutralization titers >or=160 to dengue 1. We describe the existence of dengue-specific antibodies in the serum of people infected more than 60 years earlier.