Rift Valley fever: a sero-epidemiological survey among pregnant women in Mozambique

Abstract

Rift Valley fever (RVF) causes abortion in sheep and cattle. However, the teratogenic and abortogenic potential of RVF in humans is not known. Sera from a total of 1163 pregnant women in Mozambique were tested for RVF virus antibodies by ELISA and 28 (2%) were found to be positive. Mothers experiencing fetal death or miscarriage (155) had the same RVF virus antibody prevalence as those with normal deliveries. Analysis of maternity histories showed some indication of increased fetal wastage among women positive for RVF virus antibody. The ELISA used in this study was compared with a plaque reduction neutralization test and found to be equally sensitive and specific for the detection of RVF virus IgG antibodies.