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Epidemiology of West Nile Virus in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 1, p e0007081 (2019), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.
-
Abstract
- Background West Nile Virus (WNV), a member of the genus Flavivirus, is one of the most widely distributed arboviruses in the world. Despite some evidence for circulation of WNV in countries summarized by the World Health Organization as the Eastern Mediterrian Regional Office (EMRO), comprehensive knowledge about its epidemiology remains largely unknown. This study aims to provide a concise review of the published literature on WNV infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of WHO (EMRO). Methodology/principal findings A systematic review of WNV prevalence studies on humans, animals and vectors in the EMRO region was performed by searching: Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar. Finally, 77 citations were included, comprising 35 seroprevalence studies on general population (24460 individuals), 15 prevalence studies among patients (3439 individuals), 22 seroprevalence studies among animals (10309 animals), and 9 studies on vectors (184242 vector species). Of the 22 countries in this region, five had no data on WNV infection among different populations. These countries include Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Syria and Somalia. On the other hand, among countries with available data, WNV-specific antibodies were detected in the general population of all investigated countries including Djibouti (0.3–60%), Egypt (1–61%), Iran (0–30%), Iraq (11.6–15.1%), Jordan (8%), Lebanon (0.5–1%), Libya (2.3%), Morocco (0–18.8%), Pakistan (0.6–65.0%), Sudan (2.2–47%), and Tunisia (4.3–31.1%). WNV RNA were also detected in patient populations of Iran (1.2%), Pakistan (33.3%), and Tunisia (5.3% –15.9%). WNV-specific antibodies were also detected in a wide range of animal species. The highest seropositivity rate was observed among equids (100% in Morocco) and dogs (96% in Morocco). The highest seroprevalence among birds was seen in Tunisia (23%). In addition, WNV infection was detected in mosquitoes (Culex, and Aedes) and ticks (Argas reflexus hermanni). The primary vector of WNV (Culex pipiens s.l.) was detected in Djibouti, Egypt, Iran and Tunisia, and in mosquitoes of all these countries, WNV was demonstrated. Conclusions This first systematic regional assessment of WNV prevalence provides evidence to support the circulation of WNV in the EMRO region as nearly all studies showed evidence of WNV infection in human as well as animal/vector populations. These findings highlight the need for continued prevention and control strategies and the collection of epidemiologic data for WNV epidemic status, especially in countries that lack reliable surveillance systems.<br />Author summary West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, which is endemic in a vast geographical area, including the EMRO region. However, the epidemiology of WNV in the EMRO region remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we performed a systematic review on WNV prevalence studies conducted on human populations, animals and vectors across Eastern Mediterranean countries. Our review indicated the infection of most investigated human, animal and vector populations with WNV; however, the paucity of epidemiological data underline the need for integrated surveillance programs as well as continued deployment of prevention and control strategies.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
RNA viruses
Cross-sectional study
viruses
Artificial Gene Amplification and Extension
Iran
Antibodies, Viral
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Geographical Locations
0302 clinical medicine
Ticks
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Zoonoses
Epidemiology
Pakistan
Enzyme-Linked Immunoassays
Pathology and laboratory medicine
education.field_of_study
biology
Mediterranean Region
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
virus diseases
Medical microbiology
Geography
Infectious Diseases
Viruses
Djibouti
RNA, Viral
Egypt
Pathogens
West Nile virus
Research Article
medicine.medical_specialty
PubMed
Asia
lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Culex
lcsh:RC955-962
030231 tropical medicine
Population
Mosquito Vectors
Research and Analysis Methods
Microbiology
03 medical and health sciences
Culex pipiens
medicine
Seroprevalence
Animals
Humans
education
Immunoassays
Molecular Biology Techniques
Molecular Biology
Aedes
Medicine and health sciences
Biology and life sciences
Flaviviruses
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Organisms
Viral pathogens
lcsh:RA1-1270
Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction
biology.organism_classification
Microbial pathogens
Vector-Borne Diseases
030104 developmental biology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Vector (epidemiology)
People and Places
Africa
Immunologic Techniques
West Nile Fever
Demography
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352727
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 1, p e0007081 (2019), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f76b5044dd8f442846dd18f2aca5fc79