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Background The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a cause for worldwide concern. The introduction of Zika and Chikungunya diseases in the Americas has exposed unforeseen medical and logistical challenges for public health systems. Moreover, the lack of preventive measures and vaccination against known and emerging mosquito-transmitted pathogens, and the occurrence of unanticipated clinical complications, has had an enormous social and economic impact on the affected populations. In this study, we aimed to measure the seroprevalence of endemic and emerging viral pathogens in military personnel stationed in Manaus, Amazonas state. Methods We measured the seropositivity of antibodies against 19 endemic and emerging viruses in a healthy military personnel group using a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA). Results Overall, DENV positivity was 60.4%, and 30.9% of the individuals reacted against ZIKV. Also, 46.6%, 54.7%, 51.3% and 48.7% individuals reacted against West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), Ilheus virus (ILHV) and Rocio virus (ROCV), respectively. Individuals with high DENV HIA titer reacted more frequently with ZIKV or WNV compared to those with low HIA titers. Observed cross-reactivity between Flaviviruses varied depending on the virus serogroup. Additionally, 0.6% and 0.3% individuals were seropositive for Oropouche virus (OROV) and Catu virus (CATUV) from the family Peribunyaviridae, respectively. All samples were negative for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western Equine Encephalomyelitis virus (WEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), Mucambo virus (MUCV) and CHIKV from the family Togaviridae. Conclusions A high proportion of individuals in our high-risk population (~ 60%) lacked antibodies against major endemic and emerging viruses, which makes them susceptible for further infections. Military personnel serving in the Amazon region could serve as sentinels to strengthen global infectious disease surveillance, particularly in remote areas. Graphical abstract

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We report anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG seroconversion rates from a population-based cohort in Manaus, between August and November 2020, before the COVID-19 second wave in Brazil. Among seronegative and uninfected participants, we observed an overall incidence of 13.06% (95%CI, 11.52-14.79) and 6.78% (95%CI, 5.61-8.10) for symptomatic seroconversion. Risk factors for seroconversion were: having a COVID-19 case in the household, not wearing a mask during contact, relaxation of protective measures, and non-remote work. We observed an intense infection transmission period that preceded the second wave of COVID-19 in Manaus, and identified several modifiable behaviors that increased the risk of seroconversion.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance and urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for detecting and screening this infection. Our proposal was to develop a biosensor based on an ELISA immunoassay for monitoring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human serum samples. The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) from SARS-CoV-2 was employed as a specific receptor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid immunoglobulin G. N protein was immobilized on the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with carboxylated graphene (CG). The percentage of IgG-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid present was quantified using a secondary antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (anti-IgG-HRP) catalyzed using 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) mediator by chronoamperometry. A linear response was obtained in the range of 1:1000–1:200 v/v in phosphate buffer solution (PBS), and the detection limit calculated was 1:4947 v/v. The chronoamperometric method showed electrical signals directly proportional to antibody concentrations due to antigen-antibody (Ag-Ab) specific and stable binding reaction.

The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases are a cause for worldwide concern. The introduction of Zika and Chikungunya disease in the Americas has exposed unforeseen medical and logistical challenges for public health systems. Moreover, the lack of preventive measures and vaccination against known and emerging mosquito-transmitted pathogens, and the occurrence of unanticipated clinical complications, has produced an enormous social and economic impact in the affected populations. In this study, we aimed to measure the seroprevalence of endemic and emerging viral pathogens in military personnel stationed in Manaus, Amazonas state. We measured the seroprevalence of antibodies against nineteen endemic and emerging viruses in a healthy military personnel cohort using a Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay (HIA). Overall, DENV seroprevalence was 60.4%, and 30.9% of the individuals reacted against ZIKV. Also, 46.6%, 54.7%, 51.3% and 48.7% individuals reacted against West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV), Ilheus virus (ILHV) and Rocio virus (ROCV), respectively. Individuals with high DENV HIA titre reacted more frequently with ZIKV or WNV compared to those with low HIA titres. Observed cross-reactivity between Flaviviruses varied depending on the virus serogroup. Additionally, 0.6% and 0.3% individuals were seropositive for Oropouche virus (OROV) and Catu virus (CATUV) from the family Peribunyaviridae, respectively. All samples were negative for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western Equine Encephalomyelitis virus (WEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), Mucambo virus (MUCV) and CHIKV from the family Togaviridae. In conclusion, a high proportion of individuals in our high-risk population (~ 60%) lacked antibodies against major endemic and emerging viruses, which makes them susceptible for further infections. Military personnel serving in the Amazon region could serve as sentinels to strengthen global infectious disease surveillance, particularly in remote areas.

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