Silva Thyago José, Stoffella-Dutra Ana Gabriella, Gripp Victor Lacerda, Gorgens Pollyana R C, Domingos Iago José da Silva, Silva Pedro Henrique Bastos E, Chaves-Garcia Bruna Caroline, Kroon Erna Geessien, Rocha-Vieira Etel, Trindade Giliane de Souza, Oliveira Danilo Bretas de
Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina 39100-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Pathogens. 2025 Jul 25;14(8):733. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14080733.
Co-infections of Orthopoxviruses (OPVs), such as vaccinia virus (VACV) and monkeypox virus (MPXV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be associated with severe outcomes. Serro's dairy region, located in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, is an endemic area for VACV, where zoonotic outbreaks affect rural communities. This epidemiological context is especially relevant for at-risk populations, such as people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aimed to assess the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against OPV in PLHIV in this endemic setting. Serum samples were collected from 177 PLHIV in treatment at the specialized service between December 2021 and August 2022. VACV and MPXV NAbs were measured using the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and VACV-infected cells. The overall occurrence of OPV NAbs was 27.7%. NAbs were higher in individuals born before 1980 (53.3%) than those born after 1980 (1.1%). Among anti-VACV-seropositive individuals, 40.8% also had MPXV NAbs, suggesting cross-immunity. These findings indicate the circulation of VACV in PLHIV and highlight the increased susceptibility to OPV infections among individuals born after the cessation of smallpox vaccination. The results reinforce the importance of continued surveillance of OPV, especially in endemic regions and vulnerable populations.
正痘病毒（OPV）的合并感染，如牛痘病毒（VACV）和猴痘病毒（MPXV），与人免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）合并感染可能会导致严重后果。位于巴西东南部米纳斯吉拉斯州的塞罗乳制品区是VACV的流行地区，人畜共患疫情影响农村社区。这种流行病学背景对于高危人群，如艾滋病毒感染者（PLHIV）尤为重要。本研究旨在评估在这一流行地区的PLHIV中针对OPV的中和抗体（NAbs）的存在情况。2021年12月至2022年8月期间，从专业服务机构接受治疗的177名PLHIV中采集血清样本。使用蚀斑减少中和试验（PRNT）和感染VACV的细胞测量VACV和MPXV NAbs。OPV NAbs的总体发生率为27.7%。1980年以前出生的个体（53.3%）的NAbs高于1980年以后出生的个体（1.1%）。在抗VACV血清阳性个体中，40.8%也有MPXV NAbs，提示存在交叉免疫。这些发现表明VACV在PLHIV中传播，并突出了天花疫苗接种停止后出生的个体对OPV感染易感性增加。结果强化了持续监测OPV的重要性，尤其是在流行地区和弱势群体中。
