Publications by authors named "Simon Pierre Ndimbo Kumugo"
The seroprevalence to orthoebolaviruses was studied in 9594 bats (5972 frugivorous and 3622 insectivorous) from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Guinea, with a Luminex-based serological assay including recombinant antigens of four species. Seroprevalence is expressed as a range according to different cut-off calculations. Between 6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmergence of mosquito-borne arboviruses has caused significant public health burden. The life cycle of arboviruses comprises sylvatic and urban cycles, including a wildlife reservoir, a human host, and an arthropod vector. However, many questions remain on the sylvatic cycles of arboviruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith 12 of the 31 outbreaks, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is highly affected by Ebolavirus disease (EVD). To better understand the role of bats in the ecology of Ebola viruses, we conducted surveys in bats during two recent EVD outbreaks and in two areas with previous outbreaks. Dried blood spots were tested for antibodies to ebolaviruses and oral and rectal swabs were screened for the presence of filovirus using a broadly reactive semi-nested RT-PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiplex detection of antibodies to Chikungunya, O'nyong-nyong, Zika, Dengue, West Nile and Usutu viruses in diverse non-human primate species from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2021
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted to develop a high-throughput serological tool to track arbovirus infections in non-human primates (NHPs) in Central Africa, given their potential role in human epidemics.
- The methodology involved using specific recombinant proteins attached to Luminex beads to detect IgG antibodies against various viruses and validating the test with human sera.
- The findings indicated that the overall prevalence of arbovirus infections in NHPs ranged from 2 to 5%, with arboreal species showing the highest reactivity and significant cross-reactivity among certain viruses, notably between dengue and Zika viruses.
Article Synopsis
- Bats are a known reservoir for Ebola viruses, but nonhuman primates (NHPs) have also been linked to human outbreaks.
- In a study, blood and fecal samples from over 4,600 NHPs across Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ivory Coast were tested for Ebola antibodies using a specialized assay.
- Results showed that Ebola virus antibodies were rare, with only one mustached monkey testing positive, indicating that NHPs likely act as intermediate hosts rather than primary reservoirs for Ebola, highlighting the need for further research to control future outbreaks.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the prevalence of Ebola virus antibodies in bats across Africa from 2015-2017 to understand their role in Ebola ecology.
- A total of 4,022 bat blood samples were tested, revealing low seroprevalence rates for Zaire and Sudan Ebola viruses in various bat species.
- No viral RNA was found in a subset of samples, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance of bats to help predict and prevent future Ebola outbreaks.
Erratum to: High Prevalences and a Wide Genetic Diversity of Simian Retroviruses in Non-human Primate Bushmeat in Rural Areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ecohealth
March 2017
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the risk of zoonotic transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and simian T-lymphotropic virus (STLV) from non-human primates to humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- Researchers analyzed 331 samples of non-human primate bushmeat, revealing 5% tested positive for SIV and 15.4% for STLV, with new strains identified in specific monkey species.
- Results highlight the need for greater awareness of the genetic diversity and geographic spread of these viruses, as humans continue to be exposed to infected primate bushmeat in the DRC.