# High seropositivity of Mumps virus IgG antibodies in unvaccinated population of Mwanza, Tanzania: a community-based study

## TL;DR

This study found high levels of Mumps virus antibodies in unvaccinated people in Mwanza, Tanzania, suggesting the virus is widespread and may cause health issues.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence of high Mumps virus seropositivity in an unvaccinated population in Tanzania.

## Key findings

- 94.93% of participants had Mumps virus IgG antibodies.
- The highest seropositivity was observed in the 15-24 age group.
- No factors were found to be associated with seropositivity in Mwanza.

## Abstract

Mumps virus (MuV) infection has been associated with significant morbidities across the globe. Despite being endemic in most of low- and middle-income countries including Tanzania, it has not been included in routine immunization in many sub-Saharan countries. This study reports MuV IgG seropositivity in different communities of Mwanza, the information that might be useful in devising evidence-based control measures.

A laboratory based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2022, involving 276 archived plasma collected from Misungwi, Ukerewe and Magu districts. Socio-demographic information and other relevant information were extracted from database. Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to detect MuV IgG antibodies. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis.

The median age of the participants was 36(Interquartile range (IQR):26-42) years. The overall seropositivity of MuV IgG antibodies was found to be 262 out of 276 (94.93%, (95% Cl:91.59-96.98), highest among age group between 15-24. None of the factors was found to be associated with MuVIgG seropositivity in Mwanza.

MuV IgG seropositivity is alarmingly high in Mwanza suggesting the virus is endemic and might be associated with morbidities. This calls for the need to scale up the serological studies so as to provide evidence for intervention.