article · The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nonhuman primates have previously served as sources of human Ebola virus infections, though bats are widely regarded as the natural reservoir. To clarify the role of primates in virus transmission, an extensive serological survey evaluated blood and faecal samples from over 4,600 monkeys and apes across 36 species in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ivory Coast. Testing used a sensitive, specific Luminex-based assay to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against four distinct Ebola virus species. Based on strict criteria requiring antibodies to both nucleoproteins and glycoproteins, specific antibodies were found to be exceptionally rare. Only a single mustached monkey in Cameroon tested positive, demonstrating reactivity to Sudan ebolavirus. These findings confirm that Ebola virus antibodies are not widespread in wild primate populations, strongly supporting the view that primates act as intermediate hosts rather than ongoing reservoirs.
Identifying natural animal reservoirs and transmission pathways is critical for controlling increasingly frequent Ebola outbreaks. By demonstrating that Ebola virus exposure is rare among wild monkeys and apes, this research clarifies that these animals are vulnerable intermediate hosts rather than the primary source sustaining the virus in nature, helping focus future wildlife surveillance and outbreak prevention strategies.
This is early-stage epidemiological research that does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway. However, public health agencies and wildlife surveillance programmes can use the demonstrated multiplex Luminex serological assay to screen animal populations and monitor zoonotic spillover risks in regions vulnerable to outbreaks.
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Bats are considered a reservoir species for Ebola viruses, but nonhuman primates (NHPs) have represented a source of infection in several outbreaks in humans. Here we report serological screening of blood or fecal samples from monkeys (n = 2322) and apes (n = 2327). Thirty-six NHP species from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ivory Coast were tested with a sensitive and specific Luminex-based assay for immunoglobulin G antibodies to 4 Ebola virus species. Using the simultaneous presence of antibodies to nucleoproteins and glycoproteins to define positivity, we showed that specific Ebola virus antibodies are not widespread among NHPs. Only 1 mustached monkey (Cercopithecus cephus) from Cameroon was positive for Sudan ebolavirus. These observations support that NHPs are most likely intermediate hosts for Ebola viruses. With the increasing frequency of Ebola outbreaks, it is crucial to identify the animal reservoir and understand the ecology of Ebola viruses to inform disease control.
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DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz006
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