A groundbreaking study, dubbed PREGMPOX, is shedding light on the devastating effects of mpox infections in pregnant women in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This research study is led by the Catholic University of Bukavu in the DRC, in collaboration with Makerere University Lung Institute in Uganda, the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and the University Medical Center Hamburg in Germany. The study is funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) under an emergency funding agreement. PREGMPOX seeks to address why pregnant women, a highly vulnerable population, are disproportionately affected by the mpox disease and to inform regional and global health policies.
In 2024, cases of mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, have surged across several African nations, including DRC, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the Africa CDC declared it a public health emergency of continental security. The current mpox outbreak, driven by a highly transmissible strain, has been associated with severe outcomes particularly in immunocompromised populations including pregnant women.
“Data from Eastern DRC highlights the increased vulnerability of pregnant women, children under 15 years, and individuals with uncontrolled HIV/AIDS,” remarked Dr. Misaki Wayengera, Chair of Uganda’s Ministry of Health Scientific Advisory Committee. He added, “This study is crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind severe mpox manifestations and for exploring potential mitigation strategies.”
The Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health (CTDGH) of the Catholic University of Bukavu hosted a stakeholders’ workshop in South Kivu, DRC, to outline the PREGMPOX study objectives. Dr. Théophile Walulika Muzaliwa, Provincial Minister of Health for South Kivu, emphasized the significance of the study: “Research through the PREGMPOX project represents a vital lifeline in combating mpox. This initiative will enhance our understanding of the disease and strengthen our response, improving health outcomes for the people of South Kivu and the DRC.”
Prof. Patrick Katoto, Principal Investigator and Scientific Lead, highlighted the broader implications of the study: “Through innovative research and community engagement, PREGMPOX not only aims to protect vulnerable populations but also lays the foundation for global health policies prioritizing pregnant women and their babies.”
The study leverages expertise from the Global North, including Dr. Krasemann Susanne of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and Dr. Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo of the Global Health Institute at the University of Antwerp. Dr Siewe Fodjo stressed the need for prioritizing pregnant women in outbreak responses, stating, “The PREGMPOX project sheds light on a population often overlooked but extremely vulnerable to disease and death.” Dr Krasemann Susanne added “Since there is currently no therapeutic approach that would work in pregnant women and newborns, or small children, we urgently need to know more about the specific vulnerabilities of these at-risk groups. Thus, we need a better understanding of the underlying transmission mechanisms, especially in pregnant women. PREGMPOX aims at not only deciphering virus-induced impacts on pregnancy outcome, maternal, and fetal health but also to gain a deeper understanding of potential disease transmission routes”
Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Co-Investigator from Makerere University Lung Institute, underscored the necessity of African-led studies, noting the importance of generating localized data to inform public health interventions in East and Central Africa.
With initial participants already enrolled in the DRC, the PREGMPOX study is set to provide critical insights into screening, management, and prevention strategies for mpox in pregnancy. These findings will shape global health policies and improve care for pregnant women and newborns in Africa and beyond.
