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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
A silent enzootic of an orthopoxvirus in Ghana, West Africa: Evidence for multi-species involvement in the absence of widespread human disease
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 82, No. 4, Year 2010
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Description
Human monkeypox has never been reported in Ghana, but rodents captured in forested areas of southern Ghana were the source of the monkeypox virus introduced into the United States in 2003. Subsequent to the outbreak in the United States, 204 animals were collected from two commercial trapping sites in Ghana. Animal tissues were examined for the presence of orthopoxvirus (OPXV) DNA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction, and sera were assayed for antibodies against OPXV. Animals from five genera (Cricetomys, Graphiurus, Funiscirus, and Heliosciurus) had antibodies against OPXV, and three genera (Cricetomys, Graphiurus, and Xerus) had evidence of OPXV DNA in tissues. AdditionaUy, 172 persons living near the trapping sites were interviewed regarding risk factors for OPXV exposure, and their sera were analyzed. Fifty-three percent had IgG against OPXV; none had IgM. Our findings suggest that several species of forest-dwelling rodents from Ghana are susceptible to naturally occurring OPXV infection, and that persons living near forests may have low-level or indirect exposure to OPXV-infected animals, possibly resulting in sub-clinical infections. Copyright © 2010 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Authors & Co-Authors
Reynolds, Mary G.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Carroll, Darin S.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Olson, Victoria A.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Hughes, Christine Marie
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Galley, Jack
Ghana, Accra
Ghana Health Service
Likos, Anna
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Montgomery, Joel M.
Peru, Lima
Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6
Suu-Ire, Richard Dery
Ghana, Accra
Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission
Kwasi, Mubarak Osei
Ghana, Accra
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
Root, J. Jeffrey
United States, Fort Collins
Usda Aphis National Wildlife Research Center
Braden, Zachary
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Abel, Jason A.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Clemmons, Cody
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Regnery, Russell L.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Karem, Kevin L.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Damon, Inger K.
United States, Atlanta
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br.
Statistics
Citations: 115
Authors: 16
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0716
ISSN:
00029637
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Study Locations
Multi-countries
Ghana