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

Abstract

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the Nairovirus ge-nus 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 al-so 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 dis-ease 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 strate-gies should be implemented and monitored regularly by local authorities.