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Assessing the Relationship between Vector Indices and Dengue Transmission: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 8, Iss 5, p e2848 (2014), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2014.
-
Abstract
- Background Despite doubts about methods used and the association between vector density and dengue transmission, routine sampling of mosquito vector populations is common in dengue-endemic countries worldwide. This study examined the evidence from published studies for the existence of any quantitative relationship between vector indices and dengue cases. Methodology/Principal Findings From a total of 1205 papers identified in database searches following Cochrane and PRISMA Group guidelines, 18 were included for review. Eligibility criteria included 3-month study duration and dengue case confirmation by WHO case definition and/or serology. A range of designs were seen, particularly in spatial sampling and analyses, and all but 3 were classed as weak study designs. Eleven of eighteen studies generated Stegomyia indices from combined larval and pupal data. Adult vector data were reported in only three studies. Of thirteen studies that investigated associations between vector indices and dengue cases, 4 reported positive correlations, 4 found no correlation and 5 reported ambiguous or inconclusive associations. Six out of 7 studies that measured Breteau Indices reported dengue transmission at levels below the currently accepted threshold of 5. Conclusions/Significance There was little evidence of quantifiable associations between vector indices and dengue transmission that could reliably be used for outbreak prediction. This review highlighted the need for standardized sampling protocols that adequately consider dengue spatial heterogeneity. Recommendations for more appropriately designed studies include: standardized study design to elucidate the relationship between vector abundance and dengue transmission; adult mosquito sampling should be routine; single values of Breteau or other indices are not reliable universal dengue transmission thresholds; better knowledge of vector ecology is required.<br />Author Summary Routine sampling of mosquito vector populations is common in dengue-endemic countries worldwide despite doubts about methods used or the correlation between vector density and dengue transmission. This systematic review examined the published evidence investigating associations between vector indices and dengue cases. From a total of 1205 papers identified in database searches, 18 were included for review. A range of designs were seen, particularly in spatial sampling and analyses, and all but 3 were classed as weak study designs. Thirteen studies investigated associations between vector indices and dengue cases: 4 reported positive correlations, 4 found no correlation and 5 reported ambiguous/unreliable associations. Of 7 studies that measured the Breteau Index, 6 reported dengue transmission at levels below the currently accepted threshold of 5. There was little evidence of quantifiable associations between vector indices and dengue transmission that could reliably be used to predict outbreaks. Furthermore, appropriately designed studies are required to elucidate the relationship between vector abundance and dengue transmission. Recommendations include: standardizing study designs, particularly with respect to spatial heterogeneity; vector surveillance programs should sample adult mosquitoes; global values of the Breteau Index are not reliable universal dengue transmission thresholds; and better knowledge of vector ecology is required.
- Subjects :
- Viral Diseases
POPULATION-DYNAMICS
AEDES-AEGYPTI DIPTERA
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever
Dengue
Toxicology
Correlation
Medicine and Health Sciences
Dengue transmission
11 Medical and Health Sciences
Disease surveillance
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Sampling (statistics)
SIMULATION-MODEL
3. Good health
VIRUS TRANSMISSION
BACKPACK ASPIRATOR
HUMAN MOVEMENT
Infectious Diseases
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Research Design
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Research Article
Neglected Tropical Diseases
wc_20
lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Infectious Disease Control
lcsh:RC955-962
Aedes aegypti
URBAN
Biology
FEVER
Tropical Medicine
Environmental health
wc_528
medicine
Animals
Humans
CULICIDAE PRODUCTION
Science & Technology
Clinical study design
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
lcsh:RA1-1270
06 Biological Sciences
Tropical Diseases
biology.organism_classification
medicine.disease
Insect Vectors
Culicidae
qx_650
Vector (epidemiology)
Parasitology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19352735
- Volume :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e9fb03fa1301cdc35de643c2c9c2199a