Pathogens (Jul 2023)

Use of Mpox Multiplex Serology in the Identification of Cases and Outbreak Investigations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

  • Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki,
  • Lionel Kinzonzi Baketana,
  • Etienne Ndomba-Mukanya,
  • Julie Bouillin,
  • Guillaume Thaurignac,
  • Adrienne Amuri Aziza,
  • Gradi Luakanda-Ndelemo,
  • Nicolas Fernandez Nuñez,
  • Thierry Kalonji-Mukendi,
  • Elisabeth Simbu Pukuta,
  • Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye,
  • Emmanuel Lokilo Lofiko,
  • Emile Malembi Kibungu,
  • Robert Shongo Lushima,
  • Ahidjo Ayouba,
  • Placide Mbala-Kingebeni,
  • Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum,
  • Eric Delaporte,
  • Martine Peeters,
  • Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070916
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
p. 916

Abstract

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Human Mpox cases are increasingly reported in Africa, with the highest burden in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While case reporting on a clinical basis can overestimate infection rates, laboratory confirmation by PCR can underestimate them, especially on suboptimal samples like blood, commonly used in DRC. Here we used a Luminex-based assay to evaluate whether antibody testing can be complementary to confirm cases and to identify human transmission chains during outbreak investigations. We used left-over blood samples from 463 patients, collected during 174 outbreaks between 2013 and 2022, with corresponding Mpox and VZV PCR results. In total, 157 (33.9%) samples were orthopox-PCR positive and classified as Mpox+; 124 (26.8%) had antibodies to at least one of the three Mpox peptides. The proportion of antibody positive samples was significantly higher in Mpox positive samples (36.9%) versus negative (21.6%) (p ) versus 88/174 (50.6%)). Our findings highlight the urgent need of rapid on-site diagnostics to circumvent Mpox spread.

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