[Serologic study of the prevalence and course of Hantavirus infections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern].

694 sera obtained from 1994 till 1998 in the general population were examined with a recombinant enzyme immunoassay for hantavirus antibodies against the serotypes Hantaan and Puumala. Positive samples were retested for confirmation with an indirect immunofluorescence assay and a recombinant immunoblot. The observed antibody prevalence of 0.9% signities that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is not an endemic area. 12 out of 196 patients with a suspected hantavirus infection were confirmed. All proved antibodies were anti-Hantaan. Due to strong cross-reactivity in the Hantaan group, definite determination was not possible with the methods employed. The clinical symptoms corresponded to epidemic nephropathy. One patient developed the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Titre controls were carried out. In all professional groups with a high risk of infection (forestry employees, zoo keepers, workers in a stud farm, pest controllers) no increased antibody prevalence was seen. Dialysis patients had the same antibody prevalence as the general population (0.9%).