Age Distribution of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Serum Antibody in Birmingham, Alabama: Evidence of a Decreased Risk of Infection

Jong Y. Park Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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C. J. Peters Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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Pierre E. Rollin Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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T. G. Ksiazek Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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Charles R. Katholi Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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Ken B. Waites Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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Barry Gray Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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H. Michael Maetz Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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Charles B. Stephensen Department of International Health, Department of Biostatistics, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1997.57.37
Volume/Issue:
Volume 57: Issue 1
Page(s):
37–41
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an arenavirus that causes human disease ranging from a mild, flu-like illness to meningitis. Infections occur principally in and around the home due to contact with infected mice. Data on the incidence of LCMV infection in the United States are scarce but suggest that the risk of infection may have decreased over the past 30–40 years. To examine this hypothesis, sera from an age-stratified sample of hospital patients in Birmingham, Alabama were tested for LCMV antibody by ELISA. The overall prevalence of LCMV-specific IgG was 3.5% (56 of 1,600). The prevalence of antibody among those < 30 years of age was 0.3% (2 of 600), while the prevalence among those 30 years of age and older was 5.4% (P < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for LCMV seropositivity. Age was positively associated (P < 0.0001) and socioeconomic status was negatively associated with a positive antibody test result (P < 0.03). These data are consistent with a decreased incidence of human LCMV infection in Birmingham over the past 30–40 years.
Copyright:
Copyright © 1997 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1997
Published Online:
Jul 1997
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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