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Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulating among Ruminants, Mosquitoes and Humans in the Central African Republic.
- Source :
-
PLoS neglected tropical diseases [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] 2016 Oct 19; Vol. 10 (10), pp. e0005082. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Oct 19 (Print Publication: 2016). - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes a viral zoonosis, with discontinuous epizootics and sporadic epidemics, essentially in East Africa. Infection with this virus causes severe illness and abortion in sheep, goats, and cattle as well as other domestic animals. Humans can also be exposed through close contact with infectious tissues or by bites from infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Aedes and Culex genuses. Although the cycle of RVFV infection in savannah regions is well documented, its distribution in forest areas in central Africa has been poorly investigated.<br />Methodology/principal Findings: To evaluate current circulation of RVFV among livestock and humans living in the Central African Republic (CAR), blood samples were collected from sheep, cattle, and goats and from people at risk, such as stock breeders and workers in slaughterhouses and livestock markets. The samples were tested for anti-RVFV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. We also sequenced the complete genomes of two local strains, one isolated in 1969 from mosquitoes and one isolated in 1985 from humans living in forested areas. The 1271 animals sampled comprised 727 cattle, 325 sheep, and 219 goats at three sites. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVFV IgM antibodies was 1.9% and that of IgG antibodies was 8.6%. IgM antibodies were found only during the rainy season, but the frequency of IgG antibodies did not differ significantly by season. No evidence of recent RVFV infection was found in 335 people considered at risk; however, 16.7% had evidence of past infection. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the strains isolated in the CAR with those isolated in other African countries showed that they belonged to the East/Central African cluster.<br />Conclusion and Significance: This study confirms current circulation of RVFV in CAR. Further studies are needed to determine the potential vectors involved and the virus reservoirs.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
- Subjects :
- Africa, Eastern epidemiology
Animals
Animals, Domestic virology
Cattle virology
Cattle Diseases virology
Central African Republic epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Goat Diseases virology
Goats virology
Humans
Immunoglobulin G blood
Immunoglobulin M blood
Prospective Studies
Rift Valley Fever virology
Rift Valley fever virus genetics
Rift Valley fever virus isolation & purification
Seasons
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sheep virology
Sheep Diseases virology
Aedes virology
Antibodies, Viral blood
Cattle Diseases epidemiology
Culex virology
Goat Diseases epidemiology
Rift Valley Fever epidemiology
Rift Valley Fever immunology
Rift Valley fever virus immunology
Sheep Diseases epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1935-2735
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27760144
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005082