Emerging Infectious Diseases (May 2019)

Serologic Prevalence of Ebola Virus in Equatorial Africa

  • Imke Steffen,
  • Kai Lu,
  • Lauren K. Yamamoto,
  • Nicole A. Hoff,
  • Prime Mulembakani,
  • Emile O. Wemakoy,
  • Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum,
  • Nicaise Ndembi,
  • Catherine A. Brennan,
  • John Hackett,
  • Susan L. Stramer,
  • William M. Switzer,
  • Sentob Saragosti,
  • Guy O. Mbensa,
  • Syria Laperche,
  • Anne W. Rimoin,
  • Graham Simmons

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2505.180115
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 5
pp. 911 – 918

Abstract

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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.

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