Abstract.Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in Africa, but the epidemiology remains to be defined. Using a broad database search, we reviewed the literature to better define CCHF evidence in Africa. We used a One Health approach to define the impact of CCHF by reviewing case reports, human and animal serology, and records of CCHF virus (CCHFV) isolations (1956–mid-2020). In addition, published and unpublished collection data were used to estimate the geographic distribution of Hyalomma ticks and infection vectors. We implemented a previously proposed classification scheme for organizing countries into five categories by the level of evidence. From January 1, 1956 to July 25, 2020, 494 CCHF cases (115 lethal) were reported in Africa. Since 2000, nine countries (Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tunisia) have reported their first CCHF cases. Nineteen countries reported CCHF cases and were assigned level 1 or level 2 based on maturity of their surveillance system. Thirty countries with evidence of CCHFV circulation in the absence of CCHF cases were assigned level 3 or level 4. Twelve countries for which no data were available were assigned level 5. The goal of this review is to inform international organizations, local governments, and healthcare professionals about shortcomings in CCHF surveillance in Africa to assist in a movement toward strengthening policy to improve CCHF surveillance.
The objectives of this study were to determine the potential of an immunoperoxidase technique involving the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) stain for the diagnosis of rabies in fresh tissues and compare it with other standard methods, including the fluorescent antibody test (FAT), haematoxylin and eosin and Seller's stain, and to investigate its capacity to detect rabies antigen in autolysed tissues. Samples of non-autolysed brain from 81 domestic and wild animals suspected of having rabies were examined. Rabies antigen was detected by FAT in 41 of these samples and Negri bodies were detected in 40 (97.6 per cent) of them by the immunoperoxidase technique, in 25 by haematoxylin and eosin and in 22 by Seller's stain. The sensitivity of the immunoperoxidase technique decreased as the tissues were left to autolyse; after two days it was 91.2 per cent, after four days 70.6 per cent, and after seven days 11.8 per cent.
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