1. Seroepidemiological survey of hospital-associated populations in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Author
-
Van Peenen PF, See R, Soysa PE, and Irving GS
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Blood Donors, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Nurses, Sri Lanka, Students, Medical, Antibodies, Viral analysis, Arboviruses immunology, Influenza A virus immunology, Melioidosis immunology, Orientia tsutsugamushi immunology, Personnel, Hospital
- Abstract
Almost 1,500 sera from hospital-associated groups in Colombo, Sri Lanka were tested for antibodies against melioidosis, scrub typhus, influenza, and group B arboviruses. A low prevalence of antibodies was found against meliodosis and scrub typhus. Crude prevalence rates of more than 50% were encountered for antibodies against A influenza, and there was no apparent difference in rates when these were analysed according to age, sex, or ethnic background. Influenza B antibodies were more prevalent in older individuals. Antibodies against group B arboviruses were found in all groups tested, and were significantly more prevalent in older Tamils, who has estimated attack rates of more than 5% per year.
- Published
- 1976