Molecular and Serological Detection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Sulaimani Province, Iraq

摘要

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the Nairovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family and is transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma genus. It causes severe disease in humans with mortality rates between 3% and 30%. The first case in Iraq was reported in 1979;immediately thereafter, 10 cases were reported, resulting in seven deaths. Several cases were also reported in 1980 in Halabja city in Iraq’s Sulaimani province. Methods: Blood samples were collected from two study populations, human and cattle, including butchers working at a slaughterhouse. Ticks were also collected for virus detection from three villages in the Sharazoor district of Sulaimani province. Results: Results of the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were negative for all human and cattle sera. The tissue prepared from ticks also was negative for CCHFV. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique showed that 30 (46.87%) of 64 human sera were positive for the anti-CCHFV IgG antibody. Conclusion: Results show that symptomatic Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an uncommon disease in the Sulaimani province of Iraq and no clinical cases is reported, due to the eradication of ticks implemented by veterinary authorities. However, other preventive approaches and strategies should be implemented and monitored regularly by local authorities.