title: Risk factors for Zaire ebolavirus--specific IgG in rural Gabonese populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Gabon, several Ebolavirus outbreaks have occurred exclusively in the northeastern region. We conducted a large serosurvey to identify areas and populations at risk and potential demographic, clinical, and behavioral risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples and clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from 4349 adults and 362 children in a random sample of 220 villages in the 9 provinces of Gabon. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV)-specific IgG, and thin blood smears were used to detect parasites. Logistic regression was implemented using Stata software (Stata), and a probability level of <.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ZEBOV-specific IgG was 15.3% overall, increasing to 32.4% (P< .001) in forest areas. No sociodemographic risk factors were found, but the antibody prevalence increased linearly up to 20 years of age. Chronic arthralgia and amicrofilaremia were the only factors associated with ZEBOV seropositivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings confirm the endemicity of ZEBOV in Gabon and its link to the ecosystem. Human antibody positivity would appear to be to the result of exposure to contaminated fruits.
authors: Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon. dnkoghe@hotmail.com
authors: Dieudonne
authors: D
authors: Nkoghe
authors: Cindy
authors: C
authors: Padilla
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Becquart
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Wauquier
authors: Ghislain
authors: G
authors: Moussavou
authors: Jean Paul
authors: JP
authors: Akué
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Ollomo
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Pourrut
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Souris
authors: Mirdad
authors: M
authors: Kazanji
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Leroy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G