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Onoja BA, Oguzie JU, George UE, Asoh KE, Ajayi P, Omofaye TF, Igeleke IO, Eromon P, Harouna S, Parker E, Adeniji AJ, Happi CT. Whole genome sequencing unravels cryptic circulation of divergent dengue virus lineages in the rainforest region of Nigeria. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2307511. [PMID: 38240324 PMCID: PMC10829817 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2307511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Dengue is often misclassified and underreported in Africa due to inaccurate differential diagnoses of nonspecific febrile illnesses such as malaria, sparsity of diagnostic testing and poor clinical and genomic surveillance. There are limited reports on the seroprevalence and genetic diversity of dengue virus (DENV) in humans and vectors in Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the epidemiology and genetic diversity of dengue in the rainforest region of Nigeria. We screened 515 febrile patients who tested negative for malaria and typhoid fever in three hospitals in Oyo and Ekiti States in southern Nigeria with a combination of anti-dengue IgG/IgM/NS1 rapid test kits and metagenomic sequencing. We found that approximately 28% of screened patients had previous DENV exposure, with the highest prevalence in persons over sixty. Approximately 8% of the patients showed evidence of recent or current infection, and 2.7% had acute infection. Following sequencing of sixty samples, we assembled twenty DENV-1 genomes (3 complete and 17 partial). We found that all assembled genomes belonged to DENV-1 genotype III. Our phylogenetic analyses showed evidence of prolonged cryptic circulation of divergent DENV lineages in Oyo state. We were unable to resolve the source of DENV in Nigeria owing to limited sequencing data from the region. However, our sequences clustered closely with sequences in Tanzania and sequences reported in Chinese with travel history to Tanzania in 2019. This may reflect the wider unsampled bidirectional transmission of DENV-1 in Africa, which strongly emphasizes the importance of genomic surveillance in monitoring ongoing DENV transmission in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Anyebe Onoja
- Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Judith Uche Oguzie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Uwem Etop George
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Kaego Emmanuel Asoh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, State Nigeria
| | - Philip Ajayi
- Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Philomena Eromon
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Soumare Harouna
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Edyth Parker
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Christian T. Happi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Tchouassi DP, Agha SB, Villinger J, Sang R, Torto B. The distinctive bionomics of Aedes aegypti populations in Africa. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 54:100986. [PMID: 36243315 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses of medical importance. Behavioral and biological attributes contribute to its vectorial capacity. The mosquito domestic form, which resides outside Africa (Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa)), is considered to breed in artificial containers in and around homes and preferentially feeds on human blood but commonly indulges in a plant diet. Potential divergence in these attributes, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where Aaa coexists with the forest ecotype (Ae. aegypti formosus), should impact the vectoring ability and hence disease epidemiology. A summary of current knowledge on Ae. aegypti blood feeding, oviposition, and plant-feeding habits among SSA populations is provided in comparison with those in different geographies, globally. Emphasis is placed on improved understanding of the connection between changing subspecies adaptation in these traits and arbovirus disease risk in SSA in response to climate change and increasing urbanization, with the ultimate use of this information for effective disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Sheila B Agha
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rosemary Sang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ali IM, Tchuenkam VPK, Colton M, Stittleburg V, Mitchell C, Gaither C, Thwai K, Espinoza DO, Zhu Y, Jamal H, Key A, Juliano JJ, Christopher TB, Piantadosi A, Waggoner JJ, Collins MH. Arboviruses as an unappreciated cause of non-malarial acute febrile illness in the Dschang Health District of western Cameroon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010790. [PMID: 36223421 PMCID: PMC9591055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute febrile illness is a common problem managed by clinicians and health systems globally, particularly in the Tropics. In many regions, malaria is a leading and potentially deadly cause of fever; however, myriad alternative etiologies exist. Identifying the cause of fever allows optimal management, but this depends on many factors including thorough knowledge of circulating infections. Arboviruses such as dengue (DENV) cause fever and may be underdiagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is a major focus. We examined cases of fever in western Cameroon that tested negative for malaria and found 13.5% (13/96) were due to DENV, with 75% (9/12) of these being DENV serotype 2 infections. Two complete DENV2 genomes were obtained and clustered closely to recent isolates from Senegal and Burkina Faso. The seroprevalence of DENV in this region was 24.8% (96/387). Neutralizing antibodies to DENV2 were detected in all (15/15) seropositive samples tested. Chikungunya (CHIKV) is an arthritogenic alphavirus that is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the same principal vector as DENV. The seroprevalence for CHIKV was 15.7% (67/427); however, CHIKV did not cause a single case of fever in the 96 subjects tested. Of note, being seropositive for one arbovirus was associated with being seropositive for the other (Χ2 = 16.8, p<0.001). Taken together, these data indicate that Aedes-transmitted arboviruses are endemic in western Cameroon and are likely a common but underappreciated cause of febrile illness. This work supports the need for additional study of arboviruses in sub-Saharan Africa and efforts to improve diagnostic capacity, surveillance systems, and arbovirus prevention strategies. Acute illness with fever is common but can be challenging for clinicians to manage, particularly in resource-limited settings. In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a major cause of fever, but other causes of fever are poorly documented or monitored, which impairs optimal medical care to patients and implementation of public health interventions to control leading causes of disease. Viruses transmitted by mosquitoes are a prevalent and expanding problem throughout the tropics and beyond; however, there is concern that these infections frequently go undetected in sub-Saharan Africa. We discovered a previously unrecognized outbreak of dengue virus in western Cameroon by testing remnant samples from over 400 patients that presented with fever. Our results indicate that dengue has circulated in this region for decades with little recognition. This study adds important information about causes of fever in sub-Saharan Africa and advocates for increasing investment in surveillance systems and prevention strategies for mosquito-borne viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Innocent M. Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region of Cameroon, Cameroon
| | - Valery P. K. Tchuenkam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region of Cameroon, Cameroon
| | - Mia Colton
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Victoria Stittleburg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Cedar Mitchell
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Claudia Gaither
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kyaw Thwai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Daniel O. Espinoza
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yerun Zhu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Haaris Jamal
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Autum Key
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jonathan J. Juliano
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tume B. Christopher
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region of Cameroon, Cameroon
| | - Anne Piantadosi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jesse J. Waggoner
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Matthew H. Collins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Agboli E, Tomazatos A, Maiga-Ascofaré O, May J, Lühken R, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Jöst H. Arbovirus Epidemiology: The Mystery of Unnoticed Epidemics in Ghana, West Africa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1914. [PMID: 36296190 PMCID: PMC9610185 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is evident that all the countries surrounding Ghana have experienced epidemics of key arboviruses of medical importance, such as the recent dengue fever epidemic in Burkina Faso. Therefore, Ghana is considered a ripe zone for epidemics of arboviruses, mainly dengue. Surprisingly, Ghana never experienced the propounded deadly dengue epidemic. Indeed, it is mysterious because the mosquito vectors capable of transmitting the dengue virus, such as Aedes aegypti, were identified in Ghana through entomological investigations. Additionally, cases may be missed, as the diagnostic and surveillance capacities of the country are weak. Therefore, we review the arbovirus situation and outline probable reasons for the epidemic mystery in the country. Most of the recorded cases of arbovirus infections were usually investigated via serology by detecting IgM and IgG immunoglobulins in clinical samples, which is indicative of prior exposure but not an active case. This led to the identification of yellow fever virus and dengue virus as the main circulating arboviruses among the Ghanaian population. However, major yellow fever epidemics were reported for over a decade. It is important to note that the reviewed arboviruses were not frequently detected in the vectors. The data highlight the necessity of strengthening the diagnostics and the need for continuous arbovirus and vector surveillance to provide an early warning system for future arbovirus epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Agboli
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho PMB 31, Ghana
| | - Alexandru Tomazatos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oumou Maiga-Ascofaré
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi 039-5028, Ghana
| | - Jürgen May
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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