Abstract
We conducted a serologic survey of 2,430 serum samples collected during 1997–2012 for various studies to determine the prevalence of the hemorrhagic fever virus Ebola virus (EBOV) in equatorial Africa. We screened serum samples for neutralizing antibodies by using a pseudotype microneutralization assay and a newly developed luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay. Specimens seroreactive for EBOV were confirmed by using an ELISA. Our results suggest a serologic prevalence of 2%–3.5% in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have reported outbreaks of infection with EBOV. In addition we detected a seroprevalence of 1.3% in southern Cameroon, which indicated a low risk for exposure in this region.
Highlights
We conducted a serologic survey of 2,430 serum samples collected during 1997–2012 for various studies to determine the prevalence of the hemorrhagic fever virus Ebola virus (EBOV) in equatorial Africa
Samples collected in Cameroon during 2011–2012 contained 2 (1.3%) of 160 EBOV-neutralizing serum samples (Figure 2, panel D) and 4 (2.5%) of 160 VP40 antibody–positive samples (Figure 3)
Both neutralizing serum samples were confirmed by EBOV-NP ELISA, but the 4 VP40-positive samples were nonreactive in other assays (Figure 4)
Summary
We conducted a serologic survey of 2,430 serum samples collected during 1997–2012 for various studies to determine the prevalence of the hemorrhagic fever virus Ebola virus (EBOV) in equatorial Africa. The 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa has changed our understanding of viral hemorrhagic fever epidemiology. Epidemiologic links are not always well established [6], and the risk for exposure to hemorrhagic fever viruses for the general population in Central and West Africa remains unclear. We conducted a widespread serologic survey for EBOV-specific antibodies in 5 countries in central Africa, including known filovirus-endemic regions (the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], the Republic of the Congo, and Uganda), as well as areas without previously reported filovirus infections (Ghana and Cameroon). Serologic assays for detection of antibodies against EBOV glycoprotein (EBOV-GP), matrix protein (VP40), and nucleoprotein (NP) included novel microneutralization and luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays, as well as a commercially available ELISA
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