Occurrence of 4 Dengue Virus Serotypes and Chikungunya Virus in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, During the Dengue Outbreak in 2018



Chipwaza, Beatrice, Sumaye, Robert David, Weisser, Maja, Gingo, Winfrid, Yeo, Nicholas Kim-Wah, Amrun, Siti Naqiah, Okumu, Fredros O and Ng, Lisa FP ORCID: 0000-0003-4071-5222
(2021) Occurrence of 4 Dengue Virus Serotypes and Chikungunya Virus in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, During the Dengue Outbreak in 2018. OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 8 (1). ofaa626-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Dengue and Chikungunya viruses can cause large-scale epidemics, with attack rates of up to 80%. In Tanzania, there have been repeated outbreaks of dengue fever, the most recent in 2018 and 2019, mostly affecting the coastal areas. Despite the importance of these viruses, there is limited knowledge on the epidemiology of dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) in Tanzania. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of DENV and CHIKV in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kibaoni Health Center in Kilombero Valley, Southeastern Tanzania, in the rainy and dry seasons of 2018. Febrile patients of any age and gender were enrolled from the outpatient department. Blood samples were taken and screened for DENV and CHIKV viral RNA by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays.<h4>Results</h4>Overall, 294 patients were recruited. Most were females (65%), and one-third of patients were aged 14-25 years. DENV and CHIKV were detected in 29 (9.9%) and 3 (1.0%) patients, respectively. DENV was detected across all age groups during both the dry and rainy seasons. Although all 4 DENV serotypes were detected, serotypes 1 and 3 dominated and were present in 14 patients (42.4%) each. Additionally, the study showed DENV-1 and DENV-3 co-infections.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study reveals the co-circulation of all 4 DENV serotypes and CHIKV in Kilombero. Importantly, we report the first occurrence of DENV-4 in Tanzania. Unlike previous DENV outbreaks caused by DENV-2, the 2018 outbreak was dominated by DENV-1 and DENV-3. The occurrence of all serotypes suggests the possibility of severe clinical outcomes in future DENV epidemics in Tanzania.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Chikungunya virus, dengue serotypes, dengue virus, Kilombero district, Tanzania
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2021 06:52
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 22:35
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa626
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa626
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3125551