5 research outputs found
High prevalence of IgG antibodies to Ebola virus in the Efe pygmy population in the Watsa region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Background: Factors related to the natural transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) to humans are still not well defined. Results of previous sero-prevalence studies suggest that circulation of EBOV in human population is common in sub-Saharan Africa. The Efe pygmies living in Democratic Republic of the Congo are known to be exposed to potential risk factors of EBOV infection such as bush meat hunting, entry into caves, and contact with bats. We studied the pygmy population of Watsa region to determine seroprevalence to EBOV infection and possible risks factors.
Method: Volunteer participants (N = 300) aged 10 years or above were interviewed about behavior that may constitute risk factors for transmission of EBOV, including exposures to rats, bats, monkeys and entry into caves. Samples of venous blood were collected and tested for IgG antibody against EBOV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The chi(2)-test and Fisher's exact test were used for the comparison of proportions and the Student's t-test to compare means. The association between age group and anti-EBOV IgG prevalence was analysed by a nonparametric test for trend.
Results: The prevalence of anti-EBOV IgG was 18.7 % overall and increased significantly with age (p = 0.023). No association was observed with exposure to risk factors (contacts with rats, bats, monkeys, or entry into caves).
Conclusions: The seroprevalence of IgG antibody to EBOV in pygmies in Watsa region is among the highest ever reported, but it remains unclear which exposures might lead to this high infection rate calling for further ecological and behavioural studies
High prevalence of IgG antibodies to Ebola virus in the Efé pygmy population in the Watsa region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Background Factors related to the natural transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV)
to humans are still not well defined. Results of previous sero-prevalence
studies suggest that circulation of EBOV in human population is common in sub-
Saharan Africa. The Efé pygmies living in Democratic Republic of the Congo are
known to be exposed to potential risk factors of EBOV infection such as bush
meat hunting, entry into caves, and contact with bats. We studied the pygmy
population of Watsa region to determine seroprevalence to EBOV infection and
possible risks factors. Method Volunteer participants (N = 300) aged 10 years
or above were interviewed about behavior that may constitute risk factors for
transmission of EBOV, including exposures to rats, bats, monkeys and entry
into caves. Samples of venous blood were collected and tested for IgG antibody
against EBOV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The χ2-test and
Fisher’s exact test were used for the comparison of proportions and the
Student’s t-test to compare means. The association between age group and anti-
EBOV IgG prevalence was analysed by a nonparametric test for trend. Results
The prevalence of anti-EBOV IgG was 18.7 % overall and increased significantly
with age (p = 0.023). No association was observed with exposure to risk
factors (contacts with rats, bats, monkeys, or entry into caves). Conclusions
The seroprevalence of IgG antibody to EBOV in pygmies in Watsa region is among
the highest ever reported, but it remains unclear which exposures might lead
to this high infection rate calling for further ecological and behavioural
studies
Additional file 1: of High prevalence of IgG antibodies to Ebola virus in the EfĂŠpygmy population in the Watsa region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Efe pygmy, Watsa, DRC: EBOV exposures data. (XLSX 49 kb