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. 2016 Apr;94(4):794-9.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0622. Epub 2016 Feb 15.

The Presence and Seroprevalence of Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Nasiriyah Governorate, Southern Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ali Mohammed Barakat  1 , Teemu Smura  2 , Suvi Kuivanen  1 , Eili Huhtamo  1 , Satu Kurkela  1 , Niina Putkuri  1 , Hassan J Hasony  1 , Haider Al-Hello  1 , Olli Vapalahti  1
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The Presence and Seroprevalence of Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Nasiriyah Governorate, Southern Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ali Mohammed Barakat et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

The knowledge on the presence and seroprevalence of arboviruses in Iraq is fragmental. To assess the exposure of the population to arbovirus infections in southern Iraq, we conducted a serological screening of the most common arbovirus groups using immunofluorescence, hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests. Serum samples of 399 adult volunteers were collected in Nasiriyah, Iraq. Antibodies were detected against West Nile virus (WNV) (11.6%), sandfly-borne Sicilian virus serocomplex (18.2%), sandfly-borne Naples virus serocomplex (7.8%), Sindbis virus (1.5%), chikungunya virus (0.5%), and Tahyna virus (2.0%). The results suggest that WNV and sandfly-borne phlebovirus infections are common in southern Iraq, and these viruses should be considered as potential causative agents in patients with febrile disease and/or neurological manifestations.

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Map of Iraq.
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