Prevalence of antibodies against orthopoxviruses among residents of Likouala region, Republic of Congo: evidence for monkeypox virus exposure.
Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus (OPX) of west and central sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional serosurvey in Likouala region, Republic of Congo to assess exposure to OPX. Whole blood was collected using Nobuto blood filter strips (NBFS). Titers of IgM and IgG to OPX were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared with serostatus using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate factors for independent association with serostatus. A total of 994 specimens were analyzed; the overall seroprevalence for OPX IgM was 1.7%. Age < 25 years reduced the likelihood of OPX exposure, and persons living in Ngangania village had independently higher odds (odds ratio = 33.5, 95% confidence interval = 7.2-166). Blood collection for serosurveys using NBFS is feasible and practical. Adult activities such as hunting and carcass preparation may play an important role in exposure to Monkeypox virus.
Lederman
Edith R
ER
Poxvirus Program, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division for Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Edith.Lederman@med.navy.mil
Reynolds
Mary G
MG
Karem
Kevin
K
Braden
Zachary
Z
Learned-Orozco
Lynne A
LA
Wassa-Wassa
Demole
D
Moundeli
Omba
O
Hughes
Christine
C
Harvey
Joseph
J
Regnery
Russell
R
Mombouli
Jean-Vivien
JV
Damon
Inger K
IK
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003223:Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045908:Mpox, Monkeypox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D008993:Monkeypox virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018155:Orthopoxvirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral