Characterization of Adaptive Immune Responses to Oropouche Virus (OROV) Infection (OROV-IMM)
Oropouche virus (OROV), a re-emerging South American arbovirus causing dengue-like fever and occasional neurological complications, is expanding its circulation towards more densely populated areas in French Guiana, as evidenced by recent cases near Cayenne in 2026. While animal models indicate that B cell-mediated humoral immunity is critical for viral control, the human antibody response to OROV remains poorly characterized. Despite WHO-led international research efforts, there is currently no vaccine, antiviral treatment, or described human monoclonal antibody against OROV - a major gap that hinders therapeutic and vaccine development. Identifying human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies could offer a promising therapeutic option, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women.
Study Overview
Status
Status
Conditions
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
The goal of this project is to characterize the adaptive immune response to OROV infection during the convalescent phase.
The study is based on three complementary populations: (1) 17 adults with confirmed past OROV infection (2020) who will be recontacted for follow-up sampling; (2) 50 adults recruited prospectively from a village with ∼80% seroprevalence, aiming to include at least 20 seropositive individuals for robust analysis of antigen-specific B and T cell responses; and (3) an exploratory cohort of 1 to 10 newly confirmed OROV cases identified during the study period in the Cayenne region, enrolled during the convalescent phase (≥1 month post-diagnosis) to complement the immunological analyses conducted in the first two populations.
A 20 ml blood sample is collected, along with data collection (mainly health data), at the time of enrollment.
The study involves: (1) confirming past OROV infection by detecting OROV-specific polyclonal antibodies in plasma; and (2) characterizing OROV-specific B and T cell responses. Key methodological steps include: isolation of OROV-specific B cells by flow cytometry followed by single-cell culture and stimulation to generate human monoclonal antibodies; screening of secreted mAbs against OROV antigens combined with VDJ sequencing to characterize immunoglobulin repertoires; and structural characterization of neutralizing mAbs using cryo-electron microscopy and nano-imaging to identify conserved epitopes.
Study Type
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Enrollment
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Sampling Method
Study Population
The study population lives in French Guiana in 3 different areas (Saül, Trois Sauts, and Cayenne and its surroundings), and eligible individuals (Populations 1 and 3) or those residing in a high-seroprevalence geographic area (Population 2) were identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for Arboviruses at the Institut Pasteur of French Guiana (IPG) as part of arbovirus virological surveillance in French Guiana.
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
For all:
- Adults (≥18 years old)
- Willingness to participate in the study after explanation and signing of the informed consent form
Study population 1:
- Presenting a laboratory-confirmed OROV infection, defined by a positive real-time RT-PCR and/or positive seroneutralization performed as part of the management of and response to the 2020 OROV epidemic in Saül.
Study population 2:
- Residing in Trois-Sauts for at least 5 years
Study population 3:
- Presenting a laboratory-confirmed OROV infection, defined by a positive real-time RT-PCR and/or positive seroneutralization, identified in the Cayenne area and surrounding localities during the study period, as part of the surveillance activities of the CNR for Arboviruses (IPG).
Exclusion Criteria:
For all:
- Pregnant women.
- Individuals presenting with severe chronic pathologies (notably active cancer, primary or secondary immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive treatment, HIV infection, or autoimmune diseases), according to the information declared by the participants.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Observational Models: OTHER
- Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE
Number of groups / cohorts
Cohorts and Interventions
Group / CohortGroup / Cohort |
Intervention / TreatmentIntervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
adults with confirmed past OROV infection (2020) recruited from Saül
|
A 20-ml blood sample |
|
adults recruited from Trois-Sauts with ∼80% seroprevalence
|
A 20-ml blood sample |
|
newly confirmed OROV cases identified during the study period in the Cayenne region
|
A 20-ml blood sample |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Characterization of the adaptive immune response to OROV infection during the convalescent phase.
Time Frame: 12 months
|
OROV-specific polyclonal antibodies will be detected in participants' plasma to confirm prior infection. |
12 months
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Isolate OROV-specific B cells (recognizing the Gn_Gc antigenic complex) and generate human monoclonal antibodies by single B cell culture.
Time Frame: 12 months
|
Isolation of OROV-specific B cells by flow cytometry, followed by culture and stimulation of single B cells to generate and identify human monoclonal antibodies specific to OROV. |
12 months
|
|
Screening of secreted mAbs using OROV antigens and VDJ sequencing to characterize immunoglobulin repertoires.
Time Frame: 12 months
|
secreted mAbs using OROV antigens and VDJ sequencing will be screened to characterize immunoglobulin repertoires. |
12 months
|
|
Structural characterization of neutralizing mAbs by cryo-EM and nano-imaging to identify conserved epitopes.
Time Frame: 12 months
|
cryo-EM and nano-imaging will be performed on neutralizing mAbs to characterize structurally the mAbs |
12 months
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Sponsor
Collaborators
Collaborators
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Study Start
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Primary Completion
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
First Posted
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Posted
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
Other Study ID Numbers
- 2026-047_OROV-IMM
- 2026-A01467-44 (Other Identifier: ID-RCB)
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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