Serologic prevalence of Ebola virus in Equatorial Africa

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

doi:10.3201/eid2505.180115

Published

Serologic prevalence of Ebola virus in Equatorial Africa

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.