@article{fdi:010092092,
  title = {{S}erological evidence of natural exposure to rabies in rural populations in {G}abon},
  author = {{K}ombila, {L}. {B}. and {N}'{D}ilimabaka, {N}. and {L}annoy, {J}. and {E}lguero, {E}ric and {L}eroy, {E}ric and {D}acheux, {L}. and {B}ecquart, {P}ierre},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{R}abies is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases, with dogs being the main reservoir for 99% of the cases of human rabies. {H}owever, wild animals may also be rabies vectors. {I}n most cases, contact with a rabid animal results in rabies without pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis, and the disease is nearly always fatal. {N}evertheless, a few studies have documented cases of rabies-specific antibodies detection in people with no history of vaccination, suggesting that individuals can be in contact with the virus without developing fatal rabies. {T}o further investigate this possibility of non-lethal human rabies exposure, we carried out a retrospective serological analysis, using both immunoassays ({ELISA}) and seroneutralization assays ({RFFIT}), on 430 sera collected between 2005 and 2008 from rural unvaccinated {G}abonese populations in the {E}stuaire and {O}goou & eacute;-{I}vindo provinces. {E}leven (11) samples (2.5%) were positive for rabies-specific antibodies using both techniques: 1 in {E}stuaire and 10 in {O}goou & eacute;-{I}vindo. {O}ne of three positive people from the {O}goou & eacute;-{I}vindo province, resampled in early 2023, was still positive for rabies-specific antibodies, suggesting that some degree of immunity can be maintained over many years. {O}ur results also show a marginally significant higher prevalence among hunters. {T}his study demonstrates that rabies circulates actively in {G}abon and some unvaccinated individuals living in rural environments can be exposed to the virus and survive, with the development of a significant and specific humoral response that can persist for more than 15 years. {T}his passive seroprevalence survey underlines the need to establish a national surveillance system of rabies in both humans and animals in urban and rural areas, and to enhance access to pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.},
  keywords = {{GABON}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{PL}os {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {18},
  numero = {11},
  pages = {e0012044 [14 ]},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012044},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092092},
}