A Study of Dengue Seroprevalence Among Pregnant Women in French Guiana, 2006

Introduction - Between December 2005 and June 2006, a major dengue outbreak occurred in French Guiana. A dengue seroprevalence survey was conducted to estimate the proportion of the population that had been exposed to the virus either recently or in the past. Methods - A cross-sectional survey was conducted over four months among all pregnant women giving birth in the department who had been living there for at least six months. The study included a blood sample test for anti-flavivirus IgM and IgG antibodies as well as a questionnaire. Results - Among the 689 women included, testing for anti-flavivirus IgM showed that 1.9% [95% CI: 0.9%–2.9%] had developed a recent infection, likely associated with the dengue virus. Testing for anti-flavivirus IgG showed that 92.0% [95% CI: 90.0%–94.0%] had been exposed to a flavivirus in the natural environment at least once. Discussion - These results are difficult to interpret since the population is theoretically vaccinated against yellow fever and cross-reactive serological responses exist. Given the low circulation of other flaviviruses in the natural environment, these results suggest that approximately 92.0% of the pregnant women in French Guiana have been exposed to a dengue virus. (R.A.)

Author(s): Meynard JB, Dussart P, Cardoso T, Langevin S, Joly N, Ardillon V, Lamy M, Gaquiere D, Matheus S, Renner J, Flamand C, Ravachol F, Quenel P, Spiegel A, Quatresous I

Publishing year: 2009

Pages: 357-61

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2009, n° 33, p. 357-61

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey