Human cases of Sindbis fever in South Africa, 2006–2010

Abstract

Sindbis virus (SINV), the prototype positive-sense RNA alphavirus, causes febrile arthritis and is present throughout Afro-Eurasia. Little is known of the epidemiology of Sindbis fever due to insufficient surveillance in most endemic countries. The epidemiological features of Sindbis fever in humans in South Africa are described here based on a retrospective study of suspected arbovirus cases submitted for laboratory investigation from 2006 to 2010. Cases were detected annually mostly during the late summer/early autumn months and an increase in cases was noted for 2010, coinciding with an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. Cases were reported most often from the central plateau of South Africa and involved mostly males. No severe or fatal cases were reported and cases were associated with febrile arthralgia as commonly reported for SINV infection. Further surveillance is required to reveal the true extent of the morbidity of Sindbis fever in South Africa.

Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alphavirus-Induced Arthritis

“…Epidemiological studies on alphaviruses' infections are restricted due to insufficient surveillance and laboratory diagnostic analyses in most endemic countries, which result in an underestimation of the numbers of cases [5, 6]. Similarities between the clinical manifestations of the diseases caused by alphaviruses and those caused by others virus, such as dengue virus (a member of the Flaviviridae family) or Oropouche virus (a member of the Bunyaviridae family), also make the diagnosis difficult [7, 8].…”

Sindbis and Middelburg Old World Alphaviruses Associated with Neurologic Disease in Horses, South Africa

“…Five alphaviruses have been detected in vectors in southern Africa: SINV, CHIKV, MIDV, Ndumu virus, and SFV ( 8 ); however, little is known about prevalence, pathogenicity, and host range ( 9 ). …”

The Presence and Seroprevalence of Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Nasiriyah Governorate, Southern Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…19 Curiously, the incidence of SINV-induced disease is highest in South Africa and northern Europe. 20,21 The enzootic transmission cycle of SINV occurs between birds and mosquitoes. Several bird and mosquito species (mainly Culex and Culiseta) are involved in the transmission cycle.…”