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Prevalence of Antibodies against Orthopoxviruses among Residents of Likouala Region, Republic of Congo: Evidence for Monkeypox Virus Exposure

Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus (OPX) of west and central sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional serosurvey in Likouala region, Republic of Congo to assess exposure to OPX. Whole blood was collected using Nobuto blood filter strips (NBFS). Titers of IgM and IgG to OPX were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared with serostatus using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate factors for independent association with serostatus. A total of 994 specimens were analyzed; the overall seroprevalence for OPX IgM was 1.7%. Age < 25 years reduced the likelihood of OPX exposure, and persons living in Ngangania village had independently higher odds (odds ratio = 33.5, 95% confidence interval = 7.2–166). Blood collection for serosurveys using NBFS is feasible and practical. Adult activities such as hunting and carcass preparation may play an important role in exposure to Monkeypox virus.

Received June 10, 2007. Accepted for publication August 9, 2007.

Acknowledgments: This data was presented in part at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2006.

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Navy or the U.S. Department of Defense.

^* Address correspondence to Edith R. Lederman, Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134. E-mail: Edith.Lederman{at}med.navy.mil

Authors’ addresses: Edith R. Lederman, Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134, E-mail: Edith.Lederman{at}med.navy.mil. Mary G. Reynolds, Kevin Karem, Zachary Braden, Christine Hughes, Russell Regnery, and Inger K. Damon, Poxvirus Program, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division for Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop G-43. Atlanta, GA 30333. Lynne A. Learned-Oroczo, 603 Oakleigh Place, Brandon, MS 39047. Demole Wassa-Wassa, Omba Moundeli, and Jean-Vivien Mombouli, Department of Microbiology, Marien Ngouabi University, BP 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Joseph Harvey, Mission G.O. Congo, BP 10, Impfondo (par Brazzaville), Republic of Congo.

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