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De Kesel W, Vanden Broecke B, Borremans B, Fourchault L, Willems E, Ceulemans A, Sabuni C, Massawe A, Makundi RH, Leirs H, Peeters M, Verheyen E, Gryseels S, Mariën J, Ariën KK. Antibodies against medically relevant arthropod-borne viruses in the ubiquitous African rodent Mastomys natalensis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012233. [PMID: 39231158 PMCID: PMC11404846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, the number of arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) outbreaks has increased worldwide. Knowledge regarding the sylvatic cycle (i.e., non-human hosts/environment) of arboviruses is limited, particularly in Africa, and the main hosts for virus maintenance are unknown. Previous studies have shown the presence of antibodies against certain arboviruses (i.e., chikungunya-, dengue-, and Zika virus) in African non-human primates and bats. We hypothesize that small mammals, specifically rodents, may function as amplifying hosts in anthropogenic environments. The detection of RNA of most arboviruses is complicated by the viruses' short viremic period within their hosts. An alternative to determine arbovirus hosts is by detecting antibodies, which can persist several months. Therefore, we developed a high-throughput multiplex immunoassay to detect antibodies against 15 medically relevant arboviruses. We used this assay to assess approximately 1,300 blood samples of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis from Tanzania. In 24% of the samples, we detected antibodies against at least one of the tested arboviruses, with high seroprevalences of antibodies reacting against dengue virus serotype one (7.6%) and two (8.4%), and chikungunya virus (6%). Seroprevalence was higher in females and increased with age, which could be explained by inherent immunity and behavioral differences between sexes, and the increased chance of exposure to an arbovirus with age. We evaluated whether antibodies against multiple arboviruses co-occur more often than randomly and found that this may be true for some members of the Flaviviridae and Togaviridae. In conclusion, the development of an assay against a wide diversity of medically relevant arboviruses enabled the analysis of a large sample collection of one of the most abundant African small mammals. Our findings highlight that Mastomys natalensis is involved in the transmission cycle of multiple arboviruses and provide a solid foundation to better understand the role of this ubiquitous rodent in arbovirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim De Kesel
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Wildlife Health Ecology Research Organization, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Léa Fourchault
- OD Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Willems
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ann Ceulemans
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Virus Ecology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christopher Sabuni
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Apia Massawe
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rhodes H Makundi
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Martine Peeters
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Erik Verheyen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- OD Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- OD Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Virus Ecology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin K Ariën
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Nigussie E, Atlaw D, Negash G, Gezahegn H, Baressa G, Tasew A, Zembaba D. A dengue virus infection in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:297. [PMID: 38448847 PMCID: PMC10918862 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09142-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dengue is caused by a positive-stranded RNA virus called dengue virus, which is spread by Aedes mosquito species. It is a fast-growing acute febrile disease with potentially lethal consequences that is a global public health problem, mostly in tropical and subtropical countries. In Ethiopia, dengue fever is understudied, although the virus is still being transmitted and viral infection rates are rising. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of DENV infection in Ethiopia. METHODS A literature search was done on the PubMed, Hinari and Google Scholar databases to identify studies published before July, 2023. Random effects and fixed effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence of all three markers. The Inconsistency Index was used to assess the level of heterogeneity. RESULTS A total of 11 studies conducted on suspected individuals with dengue fever and acutely febrile participants were included in this review. The majority of the studies had a moderate risk of bias and no study had a high risk of bias. A meta-analysis estimated a pooled IgG prevalence of 21% (95% CI: 19-23), a pooled IgM prevalence of 9% (95%CI: 4-13) and a pooled DENV-RNA prevalence of 48% (95% CI: 33-62). There is evidence of possible publication bias in IgG but not in the rest of the markers. CONCLUSION Dengue is prevalent among the dengue fever suspected and febrile population in Ethiopia. Healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers should give more attention to dengue fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshetu Nigussie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Daniel Atlaw
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Getahun Negash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Gezahegn
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Baressa
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alelign Tasew
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Demisu Zembaba
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Merakou C, Amendola A, Fortuna C, Marsili G, Fiorentini C, Argentini C, Benedetti E, Rezza G, Maraglino F, Del Manso M, Bella A, Pezzotti P, Riccardo F, Palamara AT, Venturi G, Group TAW. Diagnosis of Imported Dengue and Zika Virus Infections in Italy from November 2015 to November 2022: Laboratory Surveillance Data from a National Reference Laboratory. Viruses 2023; 16:50. [PMID: 38257751 PMCID: PMC10818496 DOI: 10.3390/v16010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses are mosquito-borne human pathogens. In Italy, the presence of the competent vector Aedes albopictus increases the risk of autochthonous transmission, and a national plan for arboviruses prevention, surveillance, and response (PNA 2020-2025) is in place. The results of laboratory diagnosis of both viruses by the National Reference Laboratory for arboviruses (NRLA) from November 2015 to November 2022 are presented. Samples from 655 suspected cases were tested by both molecular and serological assays. Virus and antibody kinetics, cross-reactivity, and diagnostic performance of IgM ELISA systems were analysed. Of 524 cases tested for DENV, 146 were classified as confirmed, 7 as probable, while 371 were excluded. Of 619 cases tested for ZIKV, 44 were classified as confirmed, while 492 were excluded. All cases were imported. Overall, 75.3% (110/146) of DENV and 50% (22/44) of ZIKV cases were confirmed through direct virus detection methods. High percentages of cross reactivity were observed between the two viruses. The median lag time from symptoms onset to sample collection was 7 days for both DENV molecular (range 0-20) and NS1 ELISA (range 0-48) tests, with high percentages of positivity also after 7 days (39% and 67%, respectively). For ZIKV, the median lag time was 5 days (range 0-22), with 16% positivity after 7 days. Diagnostic performance was assessed with negative predictive values ranging from 92% to 95% for the anti-DENV systems, and of 97% for the ZIKV one. Lower positive predictive values were seen in the tested population (DENV: 55% to 91%, ZIKV: 50%). DENV and ZIKV diagnosis by molecular test is the gold standard, but sample collection time is a limitation. Serological tests, including Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test, are thus necessary. Co-circulation and cross-reactivity between the two viruses increase diagnostic difficulty. Continuous evaluation of diagnostic strategies is essential to improve laboratory testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Merakou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
- ECDC Fellowship Programme, Public Health Microbiology Path (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 16973 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonello Amendola
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Claudia Fortuna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Giulia Marsili
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Cristiano Fiorentini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Claudio Argentini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Eleonora Benedetti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianni Rezza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Francesco Maraglino
- General Directorate for Health Prevention, Prevention of the Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, Ministry of Health, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Del Manso
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Antonino Bella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Patrizio Pezzotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Flavia Riccardo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Giulietta Venturi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy (A.A.); (C.A.); (A.B.)
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