First Detection of Co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Equids in the South-west of Tunisia

Hassine, Thameur Ben; Massis, Fabrizio De; Calistri, Paolo; Savini, Giovanni; Mohamed, Bourbab; Ranen, A.; Gennaro, Annapia Di; Sghaier, Soufien; Hammami, Salah

doi:10.1111/tbed.12259

Cited by 57 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Equids are also affected: the serological investigation tested by competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay of 284 horses conducted in 2012 in the southern west region of the country showed that 120 (42.3%) had WNV-specific neutralizing antibodies. The prevalence was significantly higher in areas close to the oasis compared with that of the surrounding arid areas [103]. …”

Section: The Situation Of Arboviruses In Countries Around the Meditermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network

et al. 2017

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Purpose of ReviewArboviruses, viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and fleas are a significant threat to public health because of their epidemic and zoonotic potential. The geographical distribution of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile (WN), Rift Valley fever (RVF), Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika has expanded over the last decades. Countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are not spared. Outbreaks of WN are repeatedly reported in the Mediterranean basin. Human cases of RVF were reported at the southern borders of the Maghreb region. For this reason, establishing the basis for the research to understand the potential for the future emergence of these and other arboviruses and their expansion into new geographic areas became a public health priority. In this context, the European network “MediLabSecure” gathering laboratories in 19 non-EU countries from the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions seeks to improve the surveillance (of animals, humans, and vectors) by reinforcing capacity building and harmonizing national surveillance systems to address this important human and veterinary health issue. The aim of this review is to give an exhaustive overview of arboviruses and their vectors in the region.Recent FindingsThe data presented underline the importance of surveillance in the implementation of more adapted control strategies to combat vector-borne diseases. Partner laboratories within the MediLabSecure network present a wide range of infrastructures and have benefited from different training programs.SummaryAlthough reporting of arboviral presence is not carried out in a systematic manner, the expansion of the area where arboviruses are present cannot be disputed. This reinforces the need for increasing surveillance capacity building in this region to prevent future emergences.

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Section: The Situation Of Arboviruses In Countries Around the Meditermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a recent study, antibody titers against USUV were reported in 10 equines (among 284) [103]. In a serological investigation, Nabli et al [105] recorded that 0.2% of human serum samples ( n = 1406) from different regions of Tunisia were positive to the Sindbis virus [105].…”

Section: The Situation Of Arboviruses In Countries Around the Meditermentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network

et al. 2017

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“…Cross-sectional serologic surveys for DENV exposure have the potential to shed light on the broader population burden of DENV without these biases. However, serologic cross-reactions among antibody-based assays for flaviviruses can limit the reliability of such studies in the absence of confirmatory testing, though the latter is difficult to perform and often unavailable [19, 20]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dengue in the Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review

et al. 2016

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BackgroundDengue virus (DENV) infection is widespread and its disease burden has increased in past decades. However, little is known about the epidemiology of dengue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).Methodology / Principal FindingsFollowing Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed available records across MENA describing dengue occurrence in humans (prevalence studies, incidence studies, and outbreak reports), occurrence of suitable vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), and DENV vector infection rates. We identified 105 human prevalence measures in 13 of 24 MENA countries; 81 outbreaks reported from 9 countries from 1941–2015; and reports of Ae. aegypti and/or Ae. albopictus occurrence in 15 countries. The majority of seroprevalence studies were reported from the Red Sea region and Pakistan, with multiple studies indicating >20% DENV seroprevalence in general populations (median 25%, range 0–62%) in these subregions. Fifty percent of these studies were conducted prior to 1990. Multiple studies utilized assays susceptible to serologic cross-reactions and 5% of seroprevalence studies utilized viral neutralization testing. There was considerable heterogeneity in study design and outbreak reporting, as well as variability in subregional study coverage, study populations, and laboratory methods used for diagnosis.Conclusions / SignificanceDENV seroprevalence in the MENA is high among some populations in the Red Sea region and Pakistan, while recent outbreaks in these subregions suggest increasing incidence of DENV which may be driven by a variety of ecologic and social factors. However, there is insufficient study coverage to draw conclusions about Aedes or DENV presence in multiple MENA countries. These findings illustrate the epidemiology of DENV in the MENA while revealing priorities for DENV surveillance and Aedes control.

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“…Other authors showed an intensive circulation of WNV among humans, equines and birds. Jendouba, Nabeul, Sousse, Monastir, Sfax, Mednine and Djerba are considered as high-risk areas [31][32][33][34]. This scenario raises fears for the emergence of other arboviruses, including the Rift Valley Fever virus (RVF), which mainly affects small ruminants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tunisia, with Particular Attention to Proven and Potential Vectors: A Review

Tabbabi¹,

Daaboub²

2017

J Trop Dis

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The state of knowledge of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) is dispersed and disorganized in Tunisia although their important role as disease vectors. The available published and unpublished reports were collected and reviewed. There are about 43 species of mosquitoes in Tunisia. There are a total of 12 species of Anopheles. The species involved in malaria transmission in Tunisia during the endemic period and still persisting in Tunisia are Anopheles (An.) labranchiae, predominant species in the north and center of the country, An. sergenti and An. multicolor in the Center and South. The genus Culex contains 11 species. Culex (Cx.) pipiens is the most dangerous specie and their distribution is ubiquitous in Tunisia. This mosquito has been implicated in the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) in Tunisia. Concerning vectors, Aedes aegypti was reported in Tunisia before 2000, but was not encountered later. Moreover, Aedes albopictus, the other vector of Dengue and Chikungunya, is not among the 43 species of mosquitoes described in Tunisia, but the latter circulates in neighboring countries. Collected and analyzed data will help current and future research on mosquitoes particularly in the field of medical entomology to develop and implement vector control strategies.

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First Detection of Co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Equids in the South-west of Tunisia

Cited by 57 publications

References 27 publications

Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network

Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network

Dengue in the Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tunisia, with Particular Attention to Proven and Potential Vectors: A Review

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