Acute febrile illness caused by hantavirus: serological and molecular evidence from India

Study of hantavirus infections in India is in its early stages. As early symptoms of hantavirus disease can be non-specific and the diagnosis confirmed only by laboratory testing, use of appropriate diagnostic tools is important. To improve the diagnosis of hantavirus infections in India, commercial ELISA systems followed by indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to detect anti-hantavirus IgM and IgG in samples from patients with acute febrile illness. Of 347 patients tested, 5.2% showed serological evidence of hantavirus infection. Sequences obtained from patients showing molecular evidence of hantavirus infection were related to Hantaan virus. In the absence of μ-capture ELISA, we recommend the use of combination testing systems in areas non-endemic for hantavirus infections. In India there is an increased risk of rodent-borne infections and the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated febrile illness should include hantavirus infection.