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Low prevalence of anti-Orthopoxvirus neutralizing antibodies in an urban population of Brazil
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  • Galileu Barbosa Costa,
  • Jaqueline Silva de Oliveira,
  • Ana Stoffella,
  • Iago José da Silva Domingos,
  • Pedro Starling Pereira Martins da Costa,
  • Pedro Henrique Bastos e Silva,
  • Erna Kroon,
  • Danilo Bretas,
  • Giliane de Souza Trindade
Galileu Barbosa Costa
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Jaqueline Silva de Oliveira
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Ana Stoffella
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Iago José da Silva Domingos
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Pedro Starling Pereira Martins da Costa
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Pedro Henrique Bastos e Silva
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Erna Kroon
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia
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Danilo Bretas
Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri
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Giliane de Souza Trindade
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Microbiologia

Corresponding Author:giliane@icb.ufmg.br

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Abstract

Since 1999, Vaccinia virus (VACV) has been described as a causative agent of bovine vaccinia (BV), a zoonotic disease that occurs mainly in rural areas of Brazil. However, the circulation of VACV in urban environments and its associated burden has been poorly explored. Moreover, the current Mpox outbreak has raised questions regarding the immune status of the worldwide population previous vaccinated against smallpox. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional study to better understand the prevalence of anti-OPV neutralizing antibodies (NA) in a susceptible urban population of Brazil. A total of 372 individuals were sampled, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 16.9% (CI95%=13.4–21.1), and antibodies titers ranging from 100 to 800 NU/ml. The prevalence of NA among vaccinated individuals (≥36yo) was 24.9% (IC 95%=19.5–31.2), and among those unvaccinated (<36yo) was 6.7% (IC 95%=3.7–11.8). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥36yo and the presence of vaccine take were independently associated with the presence of anti-OPV NA. Our findings suggest that vulnerable populations could be subclinically exposed to VACV in urban areas, drawing attention to alternative routes of zoonotic VACV exposure. Our data is also important for better strategies in order to mitigate zoonotic OPV infections mainly among vulnerable populations.
14 Apr 2023Submitted to Journal of Medical Virology
15 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
15 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Apr 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 May 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
22 May 20231st Revision Received
24 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
24 May 2023Assigned to Editor
25 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
31 May 2023Editorial Decision: Accept