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Incidence and seroprevalence of dengue virus infections in Australian travellers to Asia

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence density and prevalence of dengue virus infection in Australian travellers to Asia. We conducted a multi-centre prospective cohort study of Australian travellers over a 32-month period. We recruited 467 travellers (≥16 years of age) from three travel clinics who intended to travel Asia, and 387 (82.9%) of those travellers completed questionnaires and provide samples pre- and post-travel for serological testing for dengue virus infection. Demographic data, destination countries and history of vaccinations and flavivirus infections were obtained. Serological testing for dengue IgG and IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (PanBio assay) was performed. Acute seroconversion for dengue infection was demonstrated in 1.0% of travellers, representing an incidence of 3.4 infections per 10,000 days of travel (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9–8.7). The seroprevalence of dengue infection was 4.4% and a greater number of prior trips to Asia was a predictor for dengue seroprevalence (p = 0.019). All travellers experienced subclinical dengue infections and had travelled to India (n = 3) and China (n = 1). This significant attack rate of dengue infection can be used to advise prospective travellers to dengue-endemic countries.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ian Gordon for his statistical contribution, Jennie Layden and other laboratory staff, and the travel clinic staff involved in the study. Most of all, we are indebted to the participating travellers.

Conflicts of interest

This study was funded by an investigator-initiated unrestricted grant from Sanofi-Pasteur. The authors Laurence Pollissard, Clarisse Demont and Christine Luxemburger are employees of Sanofi-Pasteur. Joseph Torresi has received a speaking honoraria from Sanofi-Pasteur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    I. Ratnam, K. Leder, B.-A. Biggs & E. Matchett

  2. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    I. Ratnam, J. Black & B.-A. Biggs

  3. Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    K. Leder

  4. Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    A. Padiglione & I. Woolley

  5. Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    T. Panagiotidis

  6. The Travel Doctor, Travellers Medication and Vaccination Centre (TMVC), Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    T. Gherardin

  7. Sanofi-Pasteur, Lyon, France

    L. Pollissard, C. Demont & C. Luxemburger

  8. The Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

    J. Torresi

  9. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    J. Torresi

  10. Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Hospital, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    J. Torresi

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  1. I. Ratnam
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  2. J. Black
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  3. K. Leder
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  7. I. Woolley
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  8. T. Panagiotidis
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  10. L. Pollissard
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  11. C. Demont
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  12. C. Luxemburger
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  13. J. Torresi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Torresi.

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Ratnam, I., Black, J., Leder, K. et al. Incidence and seroprevalence of dengue virus infections in Australian travellers to Asia. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 1203–1210 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1429-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1429-1

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