Dengue and Chikungunya seroprevalence in Indigenous population from Bahia, Brazil

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Introduction: Arboviruses such as Dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) pose a significant global public health challenge. Dengue has been endemic in Brazil for decades, causing annual outbreaks. CHIKV was introduced in Brazil in 2014 and has since established endemic transmission, resulting in successive outbreaks. Both infections can cause acute febrile, systemic, and debilitating illnesses, with considerable morbidity and substantial impacts on public health. In some cases, infections can progress to severe forms, such as severe dengue and chronic polyarthritis/arthralgia associated with CHIKV.The indigenous population in Brazil consists of approximately 1.7 million individuals from 303 ethnic groups. These populations are considered socially vulnerable and have limited access to healthcare services. Data regarding arboviral infections in these populations are scarce. Objetive: To evaluate the seroprevalence of Dengue and Chikungunya viruses in indigenous populations in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling individuals of all genders and ages residing in indigenous territories in Bahia, Brazil. Surveys were conducted using REDCap v9.3.1 (2023), and serological testing was performed on serum samples to detect IgM and IgG anti-DENV and anti-CHIKV specific markers using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) method. Results: A total of 2,058 individuals from 33 villages and 10 ethnic groups were recruited for this study. Of the participants, 60.2% were female, with a median age of 33 years. Additionally, 48.5% were single, 46.1% had incomplete primary education, and the majority, 67.8%, had a family income below the minimum wage. The seroprevalence of DENV infection was 61.6% for IgG and 4.3% for IgM, while for CHIKV, it was 14.2% for IgG and 9% for IgM. Villages near urban centers had a higher prevalence of DENV and CHIKV antibodies compared to remote villages. Discussion: The studied indigenous population exhibits significant socioeconomic vulnerability, characterized by low levels of education and insufficient family income. Conclusions: high rates of both acute and past exposure to DENV and CHIKV were identified. These findings highlight the challenges of diagnosing arboviral infections in these populations and the underreporting of cases.

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