High Seroreactivities to Orthoebolaviruses in Rural Cameroon: A Case-Control Study on Nonhuman Primate Bites and a
Jill-Léa Ramassamy1,2, Ahidjo Ayouba2, Guillaume Thaurignac2
1Unité d'Epidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 3569, Paris.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 10, 2024
Summary
High seroreactivity to Ebola and Sudan viruses was found in rural Cameroon, particularly in Pygmy populations. This suggests silent circulation of these viruses or other filoviruses, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Ebola (EBOV) and Sudan (SUDV) viruses cause lethal hemorrhagic fevers in humans and apes.
- Apes can be a source of human outbreaks for EBOV.
- Understanding orthoebolavirus transmission is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of orthoebolavirus exposure through contact with nonhuman primates (NHP).
- To investigate seroprevalence of EBOV and SUDV in rural Cameroonian populations.
- To explore potential silent circulation of filoviruses in the region.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving NHP bites in forest areas of Cameroon (n=795).
- Cross-sectional surveys in other rural populations of Cameroon (n=622).
- Microsphere-based multiplex immunoassay to detect antibodies against viral proteins.
Main Results:
- Seroreactivity to EBOV and SUDV detected in 13% and 12% of samples, respectively.
- Seroreactivity was not linked to NHP bites but was three times higher in Pygmies than Bantus.
- Strong avidity to SUDV antigens observed, though neutralizing antibodies were not detected.
Conclusions:
- High seroreactivity suggests potential silent circulation of orthoebolaviruses in rural Cameroon.
- Undocumented filoviruses may also be circulating in these forested regions.
- Further surveillance and research are needed to understand filovirus dynamics.
