Presence of Antibodies against Sindbis Virus in the Israeli Population: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus circulating globally. SINV outbreaks have been mainly reported in North-European countries. In Israel, SINV was detected in 6.3% of mosquito pools; however, SINV infection in humans has rarely been diagnosed. A serologic survey to detect SINV IgG antibodies was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of SINV in the Israeli population. In total, 3145 serum samples collected in 2011–2014, representing all age and population groups in Israel, were assessed using an indirect ELISA assay, and a neutralization assay was performed on all ELISA-positive samples. The prevalence rates of SINV IgG antibodies were calculated. Logistic regressions models were applied to assess the association between demographic characteristics and SINV seropositivity. Overall, 113 (3.6%) and 59 (1.9%) samples were positive for ELISA and neutralization SINV IgG, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that SINV seropositivity was significantly associated with older age and residence outside metropolitan areas. These results demonstrate that, despite no outbreaks or clinical presentation, SINV infects the human population in Israel. Seropositivity is countrywide, more frequent in people of older age, and less diffuse in Israel’s metropolitan areas. Seroprevalence studies from other countries will add to our understanding of the global burden of SINV and the risk for potential SINV outbreaks.

The Israel National Sera Bank: Methods, Representativeness, and Challenges

“…A considerable number of projects have used the INSB, thus yielding a large number of papers published throughout the years [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Some of these have evaluated immunity of the population against vaccine-preventable diseases (diphtheria [ 21 ], Bordetella pertussis [ 22 ], influenza [ 23 ], hepatitis A [ 24 ], hepatitis B [ 25 ], measles [ 26 ], mumps [ 27 ], rubella [ 27 , 28 ], varicella [ 29 ], and polio [ 30 ]).…”

“…Some of these have evaluated immunity of the population against vaccine-preventable diseases (diphtheria [ 21 ], Bordetella pertussis [ 22 ], influenza [ 23 ], hepatitis A [ 24 ], hepatitis B [ 25 ], measles [ 26 ], mumps [ 27 ], rubella [ 27 , 28 ], varicella [ 29 ], and polio [ 30 ]). Other projects have assessed exposure of the population to infectious agents, including emerging ones (herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 [ 31 ], Helicobacter pylori [ 32 ], Toxoplasma gondii [ 33 ], hepatitis E [ 34 ], parvovirus [ 35 ], West Nile Fever Virus [ 36 ], MERS-CoV, Sindbis [ 37 ], and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)). Further activities of the INSB are published on the Israel Center for Disease Control website ( accessed on 25 February 2021).…”

Epidemic Alphaviruses: Ecology, Emergence and Outbreaks

“…In Israel, the virus seems to be constantly circulating in the country recently, as SINV-I was detected in mosquito pools collected during the period of 2004-2006 and 2013-2015 [304]. Also, a serological survey conducted from 2011 to 2014 demonstrated a prevalence of IgG anti-SINV of 1.9−3.6% [305]. In Germany, Jöst et al showed [306] the presence of SINV in mosquitoes collected in the southwest region of the country in 2009.…”