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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Seroprevalence of Alphavirus Antibodies in a Cross-Sectional Study in Southwestern Tanzania Suggests Endemic Circulation of Chikungunya
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 8, No. 7, Article e2979, Year 2014
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Description
Background:To date, Alphavirus infections and their most prominent member, chikungunya fever, a viral disease which first became apparent in Tanzania in 1953, have been very little investigated in regions without epidemic occurrence. Few data exist on burden of disease and socio-economic and environmental covariates disposing to infection.Methods:A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was undertaken in 1,215 persons from Mbeya region, South-Western Tanzania, to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Alphavirus IgG antibodies, and to investigate associated risk factors.Results:18% of 1,215 samples were positive for Alphavirus IgG. Seropositivity was associated with participant age, low to intermediate elevation, flat terrain and with IgG positivity for Rift Valley fever, Flaviviridae, and rickettsiae of the spotted fever group. When comparing the geographical distribution of Alphavirus seropositivity to that of Rift Valley fever, it was obvious that Alphaviruses had spread more widely throughout the study area, while Rift Valley fever was concentrated along the shore of Lake Malawi.Conclusion:Alphavirus infections may contribute significantly to the febrile disease burden in the study area, and are associated with several arthropod-borne infections. Their spread seems only limited by factors affecting mosquitoes, and seems less restricted than that of Rift Valley fever. © 2014 Weller et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC4117434/bin/pntd.0002979.s001.pdf
Authors & Co-Authors
Weller, Nina
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Clowes, Petra
Tanzania
National Institute for Medical Research-mbeya Medical Research Center
Dobler, Gerhard
Germany, Munich
Institut Für Mikrobiologie Der Bundeswehr
Germany, Munich
German Center for Infection Research Dzif
Saathoff, Elmar
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Germany, Munich
German Center for Infection Research Dzif
Kroidl, Inge
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Tanzania
National Institute for Medical Research-mbeya Medical Research Center
Ntinginya, Nyanda Elias
Tanzania
National Institute for Medical Research-mbeya Medical Research Center
Maboko, Leonard L.
Tanzania
National Institute for Medical Research-mbeya Medical Research Center
Los̈cher, Thomas
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Höelscher, Michael
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Tanzania
National Institute for Medical Research-mbeya Medical Research Center
Germany, Munich
German Center for Infection Research Dzif
Heinrich, Norbert
Germany, Munich
Klinikum Der Universität München
Germany, Munich
German Center for Infection Research Dzif
Statistics
Citations: 30
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002979
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Malawi
Tanzania