Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: After a large outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) serotype-3 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) in 2008, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of anti-DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in expatriate and local persons affiliated with an American veterinary schoo...

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Main Authors: Hamish Mohammed, Mary H Hayden, Elise Lee, Luis M Santiago, Rosina C Krecek, Floyd Revan, Elizabeth Hunsperger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2019-03-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/10701
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author Hamish Mohammed
Mary H Hayden
Elise Lee
Luis M Santiago
Rosina C Krecek
Floyd Revan
Elizabeth Hunsperger
author_facet Hamish Mohammed
Mary H Hayden
Elise Lee
Luis M Santiago
Rosina C Krecek
Floyd Revan
Elizabeth Hunsperger
author_sort Hamish Mohammed
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: After a large outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) serotype-3 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) in 2008, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of anti-DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in expatriate and local persons affiliated with an American veterinary school there. Methodology: This campus community comprised mostly expatriate students and faculty and Kittitian administrative staff. In 2009, a stratified random sample of students, faculty and staff was invited to complete an electronic survey to assess risk factors for DENV and provide blood for testing for anti-DENV IgG antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG-positive specimens were also tested by a 90% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) to determine immunoreactivity to DENV (1-4) serotypes and West Nile virus. Risk factors for anti-DENV IgG seropositivity were determined using simple and adjusted logistic regression. Results: Of the 118 participants, the overall prevalence of DENV IgG antibodies was 44.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.1-53.0%), ranging from 30.1% in students, 100.0% in staff and 57.9% in faculty (p < 0.001). Duration of residence in St. Kitts was the only variable significantly associated with seropositivity on multiple logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.21 [1.07-1.37]). The serotype of DENV was determined in 11 persons: DENV-1 (n = 4), DENV-2 (n = 3), and DENV-3 (n = 4). Conclusions: Expatriate students and faculty moving to St. Kitts from non-endemic areas were at high risk of DENV infection. There is a need for increased emphasis on pre-travel mosquito-borne virus prevention education for persons moving to St. Kitts to study and work.
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issn 1972-2680
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publisher The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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spelling doaj-art-726b2fec2fd545ccb4e091e9692029652025-08-20T02:16:18ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802019-03-01130310.3855/jidc.10701Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional studyHamish Mohammed0Mary H Hayden1Elise Lee2Luis M Santiago3Rosina C Krecek4Floyd Revan5Elizabeth Hunsperger6Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, Saint Kitts and NevisNational Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, United StatesRoss University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, Saint Kitts and NevisDengue Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto RicoRoss University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, Saint Kitts and NevisRoss University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, Saint Kitts and NevisDengue Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico Introduction: After a large outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) serotype-3 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) in 2008, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of anti-DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in expatriate and local persons affiliated with an American veterinary school there. Methodology: This campus community comprised mostly expatriate students and faculty and Kittitian administrative staff. In 2009, a stratified random sample of students, faculty and staff was invited to complete an electronic survey to assess risk factors for DENV and provide blood for testing for anti-DENV IgG antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG-positive specimens were also tested by a 90% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) to determine immunoreactivity to DENV (1-4) serotypes and West Nile virus. Risk factors for anti-DENV IgG seropositivity were determined using simple and adjusted logistic regression. Results: Of the 118 participants, the overall prevalence of DENV IgG antibodies was 44.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.1-53.0%), ranging from 30.1% in students, 100.0% in staff and 57.9% in faculty (p < 0.001). Duration of residence in St. Kitts was the only variable significantly associated with seropositivity on multiple logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.21 [1.07-1.37]). The serotype of DENV was determined in 11 persons: DENV-1 (n = 4), DENV-2 (n = 3), and DENV-3 (n = 4). Conclusions: Expatriate students and faculty moving to St. Kitts from non-endemic areas were at high risk of DENV infection. There is a need for increased emphasis on pre-travel mosquito-borne virus prevention education for persons moving to St. Kitts to study and work. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/10701dengue feverSaint Kitts and NevisTravellers
spellingShingle Hamish Mohammed
Mary H Hayden
Elise Lee
Luis M Santiago
Rosina C Krecek
Floyd Revan
Elizabeth Hunsperger
Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
dengue fever
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Travellers
title Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
title_full Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
title_short Dengue in the campus community of an overseas American university: A cross-sectional study
title_sort dengue in the campus community of an overseas american university a cross sectional study
topic dengue fever
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Travellers
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/10701
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AT eliselee dengueinthecampuscommunityofanoverseasamericanuniversityacrosssectionalstudy
AT luismsantiago dengueinthecampuscommunityofanoverseasamericanuniversityacrosssectionalstudy
AT rosinackrecek dengueinthecampuscommunityofanoverseasamericanuniversityacrosssectionalstudy
AT floydrevan dengueinthecampuscommunityofanoverseasamericanuniversityacrosssectionalstudy
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