High seroprevalence of antibodies against arboviruses in postpartum women in Salvador, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Arboviruses represent a major challenge to public health in Brazil. Dengue (DENV) virus has been endemic for decades, and the introduction of Zika (2015) and Chikungunya (2014) viruses (CHIKV) has imposed a significant burden on the country. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Zika virus (ZIKV), DENV and CHIKV in women in Salvador, Bahia-Brazil.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving postpartum women admitted to a maternity hospital in Salvador, Brazil. Anti-ZIKV, anti-DENV and anti-CHIKV immunoglobulin G was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: A total of 302 women were enrolled with a median age: 26 years, interquartile range (21-33). Most self-declared as mixed-race or black skin color (92.4%). The seroprevalence was 57% for ZIKV); 91.4% for DENV, and 7.6% for CHIKV. Most participants denied awareness of previous arboviral infection, although 67 (22.3%) reported a previous history of ZIKV infection, 34 (11.1%) DENV infection and 9 (3%) CHIKV infection.

CONCLUSION: Our data indicate a high prevalence of past ZIKV and DENV infections in the population studied. Most of the participants remain susceptible to future CHIKV infection, highlighting the need for preventive and educational interventions. Our results suggest the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance of arboviral diseases, particularly among women residing in at-risk regions.