Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnostics of Dengue, Yellow Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Africa
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
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Current Address: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
Academic Editor: Andrew Taylor-Robinson
Pathogens 2021, 10(10), 1324; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101324
Received: 3 September 2021
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Revised: 1 October 2021
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Accepted: 5 October 2021
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Published: 14 October 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mosquito-Borne Viral Infections in Africa)
Arbovirus infections are widespread, and their disease burden has increased in the past decade. In Africa, arbovirus infections and fever with unknown etiology are common. Due to the lack of well-established epidemiologic surveillance systems and accurate differential diagnosis in most African countries, little is known about the prevalence of human arbovirus infections in Africa. The aim of this review is to summarize the available epidemiological data and diagnostic laboratory tools of infections with dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, all transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Studies indicate that these arboviral infections are endemic in most of Africa. Surveillance of the incidence and prevalence of the infections would enable medical doctors to improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with typical symptoms. If possible, arboviral diagnostic tests should be added to the routine healthcare systems. Healthcare providers should be informed about the prevalent arboviral diseases to identify possible cases.
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Keywords:
dengue virus; Zika virus; yellow fever virus; chikungunya virus; epidemiology; laboratory diagnostics; Africa
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MDPI and ACS Style
Adam, A.; Jassoy, C. Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnostics of Dengue, Yellow Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Africa. Pathogens 2021, 10, 1324. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101324
AMA Style
Adam A, Jassoy C. Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnostics of Dengue, Yellow Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Africa. Pathogens. 2021; 10(10):1324. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101324
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdam, Awadalkareem, and Christian Jassoy. 2021. "Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnostics of Dengue, Yellow Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Africa" Pathogens 10, no. 10: 1324. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101324
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