Publications by authors named "Romeo Orone"
Background: Minimal data exist on pregnancy following recovery from Ebola in people of child-bearing potential (females aged roughly 18-45 years). The aim of this study was to assess viral persistence or reactivation in pregnancy, the frequency of placental transfer of anti-Ebola IgG antibodies, and pregnancy outcomes in this population.
Methods: In this observational cohort study, we studied self-reported pregnancies in two groups: seropositive people who had recovered from Ebola virus disease (seropositive group) and seronegative people who had close contact with people with Ebola (seronegative group).
Article Synopsis
- Ebola virus persistence in survivors' semen may contribute to recent outbreaks in places like Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting this study of 131 male EVD survivors in Liberia.
- The study aimed to categorize participants as "early clearers" or "late clearers" based on their EBOV detection in semen, while also collecting clinical history and conducting medical examinations.
- Findings indicated that older age, milder initial symptoms, and specific immune markers (IgG3 levels and HLA-C*03:04 allele) were linked to longer EBOV persistence in semen, suggesting potential connections to other areas in the body where the virus might hide.
Article Synopsis
- A study on male survivors of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Liberia evaluated immune responses and persistence of the Ebola virus in blood and semen.
- All 126 participants tested negative for the Ebola virus in blood; however, 1 out of 23 participants with negative antibodies produced specific antibodies when stimulated.
- The findings suggest that the blood of EVD survivors is unlikely to transmit the virus, and the variability in antibody responses indicates that a lack of antibodies should not automatically exclude someone from being considered an EVD survivor.