1. Suspected Exposure to Filoviruses Among People Contacting Wildlife in Southwestern Uganda.
- Author
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Smiley Evans, Tierra, Tutaryebwa, Leonard, Gilardi, Kirsten V, Barry, Peter A, Marzi, Andrea, Eberhardt, Meghan, Ssebide, Benard, Cranfield, Michael R, Mugisha, Obed, Mugisha, Emmanuel, Kellermann, Scott, Mazet, Jonna AK, and Johnson, Christine K
- Subjects
Animals ,Animals ,Wild ,Humans ,Filoviridae ,Filoviridae Infections ,Glycoproteins ,Antigens ,Viral ,Adolescent ,Adult ,Aged ,Middle Aged ,Child ,Child ,Preschool ,Infant ,Infant ,Newborn ,Uganda ,Female ,Male ,Young Adult ,Infectious Diseases ,Vaccine Related ,Emerging Infectious Diseases ,Biotechnology ,Prevention ,Biodefense ,Aetiology ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Filovirus ,Ebola virus ,Marburg virus ,zoonoses ,bushmeat ,wildlife ,Biological Sciences ,Medical and Health Sciences ,Microbiology - Abstract
BackgroundHuman and filovirus host interactions remain poorly understood in areas where Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks are likely to occur. In the Bwindi region of Uganda, a hot spot of mammalian biodiversity in Africa, human livelihoods are intimately connected with wildlife, creating potential for exposure to filoviruses.MethodsWe tested samples from 331 febrile patients presenting to healthcare facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Western blot, using recombinant glycoprotein antigens for Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), and Marburg virus. Behavioral data on contact with wildlife were collected to examine risk factors for filovirus seropositivity.ResultsAll patients were negative for active filovirus infection, by PCR analysis. However, patients were seroreactive to SUDV (4.7%), EBOV (5.3%), and BDBV (8.9%), indicating previous exposure. Touching duikers was the most significant risk factor associated with EBOV seropositivity, while hunting primates and touching and/or eating cane rats were significant risk factors for SUDV seropositivity.ConclusionsPeople in southwestern Uganda have suspected previous exposure to filoviruses, particularly those with a history of wildlife contact. Circulation of filoviruses in wild animals and subsequent spillover into humans could be more common than previously reported.
- Published
- 2018