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Serological analysis of Ebola virus survivors and close contacts in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: The 2013-2016 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa was the largest and deadliest outbreak to date. Here we conducted a serological study to examine the antibody levels in survivors and the seroconversion in close contacts who took care of Ebola-infected individuals, but did not develop symptoms of Ebola virus disease. In March 2017, we collected blood samples from 481 individuals in Makeni, Sierra Leone: 214 survivors and 267 close contacts. Using commercial, quantitative ELISAs, we tested the plasma for IgG-specific antibodies against three major viral antigens: GP, the only viral glycoprotein expressed on the virus surface; NP, the most abundant viral protein; and VP40, a major structural protein of Zaire ebolavirus. We also determined neutralizing antibody titers. In the cohort of Ebola survivors, 97.7% of samples (209/214) had measurable antibody levels against GP, NP, and/or VP40. Of these positive samples, all but one had measurable neutralizing antibody titers against Ebola virus. For the close contacts, up to 12.7% (34/267) may have experienced a subclinical virus infection as indicated by detectable antibodies against GP. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether these close contacts truly experienced subclinical infections and whether these asymptomatic infections played a role in the dynamics of transmission.

SUBMITTER: Halfmann PJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6692041 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Serological analysis of Ebola virus survivors and close contacts in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

Halfmann Peter J PJ Eisfeld Amie J AJ Watanabe Tokiko T Maemura Tadashi T Yamashita Makoto M Fukuyama Satoshi S Armbrust Tammy T Rozich Isaiah I N'jai Alhaji A Neumann Gabriele G Kawaoka Yoshihiro Y Sahr Foday F

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20190801 8

The 2013-2016 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa was the largest and deadliest outbreak to date. Here we conducted a serological study to examine the antibody levels in survivors and the seroconversion in close contacts who took care of Ebola-infected individuals, but did not develop symptoms of Ebola virus disease. In March 2017, we collected blood samples from 481 individuals in Makeni, Sierra Leone: 214 survivors and 267 close contacts. Using commercial, quantitative ELISAs, we tested the pl ...[more]

PMID: 31369554

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Project description:OBJECTIVES:To describe the prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety among adult Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. DESIGN:Cross-sectional. SETTING:One-on-one surveys were conducted in EVD-affected communities in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in early 2018. PARTICIPANTS:1495 adult EVD survivors (726 male, 769 female). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression scores and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores. RESULTS:Prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety varied across the three countries. Sierra Leone had the highest prevalence of depression, with 22.0% of participants meeting the criteria for a tentative diagnosis of depression, compared with 20.2% in Liberia and 13.0% in Guinea. Sierra Leone also showed the highest prevalence of anxiety, with 10.7% of participants meeting criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7 score ?10), compared with 9.9% in Liberia and 4.2% in Guinea. Between one-third and one-half of respondents reported little interest or pleasure in doing things in the previous 2?weeks (range: 47.0% in Liberia to 37.6% in Sierra Leone), and more than 1 in 10 respondents reported ideation of self-harm or suicide (range: 19.4% in Sierra Leone to 10.4% in Guinea). Higher depression and anxiety scores were statistically significantly associated with each other and with experiences of health facility-based stigma in all three countries. Other associations between mental health scores and respondent characteristics varied across countries. CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicate that both depression and anxiety are common among EVD survivors in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, but that there is country-level heterogeneity in prevalence, severity and correlates of these conditions. All three countries should work to make mental health services available for survivors, and governments and organisations should consider the intersection between EVD-related stigma and mental health when designing programmes and training healthcare providers.

Project description:BACKGROUND:We examined the magnitude and correlates of Ebola virus disease (EVD)-related stigma among EVD survivors in Sierra Leone since their return to their communities. In addition, we determined whether EVD-related stigma is a predictor of informal health care use among EVD survivors. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study among 358 EVD survivors in five districts across all four geographic regions (Western Area, Northern Province, Eastern Province and Southern Province) of Sierra Leone. Ebola-related stigma was measured by adapting the validated HIV related stigma for people living with HIV/AIDS instrument. We also measured traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) use (as a measure of informal healthcare use). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. RESULTS:EVD survivors report higher levels of internalised stigma (0.92?±?0.77) compared to total enacted stigma (0.71?±?0.61). Social isolation (0.96?±?0.88) was the highest reported enacted stigma subscale. Ebola survivors who identified as Christians [AOR?=?2.51, 95%CI: 1.15-5.49, p?=?0.021], who perceived their health to be fair/poor [AOR?=?2.58, 95%CI: 1.39-4.77. p?=?0.003] and who reside in the northern region of Sierra Leone [AOR?=?2.80, 95%CI: 1.29-6.07, p?=?0.009] were more likely to experience internalised stigma. Verbal abuse [AOR?=?1.95, 95%CI: 1.09-3.49, p?=?0.025] and healthcare neglect [AOR?=?2.35, 95%CI: 1.37-4.02, p?=?0.002] were independent predictors of T&CM use among EVD survivors. CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest EVD-related stigma (internalised and enacted) is prevalent among EVD survivors since their return to their communities. Religiosity, perceived health status and region were identified as independent predictors of internalised stigma. Verbal abuse and healthcare neglect predict informal healthcare use. EVD survivor-centred and community-driven anti-stigma programs are needed to promote EVD survivors' recovery and community re-integration.

Project description:BackgroundThere is limited data available on the long-term mental health impact of Ebola virus disease (EVD) on survivors despite the disease experience of survivors meeting the criteria of a traumatic event as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM IV). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictive factors of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among EVD survivors, approximately 2 years after discharge from the Ebola treatment centre (ETC).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study between May and August 2017 among 197 adults Ebola survivors in Bombali district, Northern Sierra Leone. We collected information about demographics, mental health status and possible predictive factors. The HAD scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. PTSD was measured using the PTSD-checklist (PCL). Chi-square test or Fisher exact two-tailed tests were used to test for associations and the multiple logistic regressions model to determine factors that were independently associated with the outcome variables.ResultsThe mean anxiety, depression and PTSD scores were (5.0 ± 3.9), (7.1 ± 3.8) and (39.5 ± 6.4) respectively. Based on cut-off scores, the prevalence of anxiety (HADs score ≥ 8), depression (HADs score ≥ 8) and PTSD (PCL ≥ 45) among Ebola survivors were (n = 49, 24.9%), (n = 93, 47.2%) and (n = 43, 21.8%) respectively. Older Ebola survivors (≥30 years) were more likely to show symptoms of depression (AOR = 8.5, 95% CI: 2.68-27.01, p = 0.001) and anxiety (AOR = 3.04; 95%CI: 1.2-7.7, p = 0.019) compared to younger ones (< 30 years). In addition, Ebola survivors who experienced a decreased level of exercise post-ETC discharge were more likely to show symptoms of depression (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI: 1.25-5.54, p = 0.011) and anxiety (AOR = 3.60; 95%CI: 1.33-9.72, p = 0.012) compared to those whose exercise remained the same post-ETC discharge.ConclusionOur findings show that anxiety, depression and PTSD are common among the Ebola survivors in Bombali district, Northern Sierra Leone, and that underscores the need to diagnose and manage mental health morbidities among Ebola survivors long after their recovery from Ebola virus disease. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) need to be explored as part of overall mental healthcare package interventions.

Dataset Information

Serological analysis of Ebola virus survivors and close contacts in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

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Serological analysis of Ebola virus survivors and close contacts in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study.

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