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El Ghassem A, Abdoullah B, Deida J, Ould Lemrabott MA, Ouldabdallahi Moukah M, Ould Ahmedou Salem MS, Briolant S, Basco LK, Ould Brahim K, Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary A. Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Mauritania: A Literature Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:1370. [PMID: 38003834 PMCID: PMC10675338 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past four decades, recurrent outbreaks of various arthropod-borne viruses have been reported in Mauritania. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on the epidemiology of the major arboviruses circulating in Mauritania. Online databases including PubMed and Web of Science were used to retrieve relevant published studies. The results showed that numerous arboviral outbreaks of variable magnitude occurred in almost all 13 regions of Mauritania, with Rift Valley fever (RVF), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and dengue (DEN) being the most common infections. Other arboviruses causing yellow fever (YF), chikungunya (CHIK), o'nyong-nyong (ONN), Semliki Forest (SF), West Nile fever (WNF), Bagaza (BAG), Wesselsbron (WSL), and Ngari (NRI) diseases have also been found circulating in humans and/or livestock in Mauritania. The average case fatality rates of CCHF and RVF were 28.7% and 21.1%, respectively. RVF outbreaks have often occurred after unusually heavy rainfalls, while CCHF epidemics have mostly been reported during the dry season. The central and southeastern regions of the country have carried the highest burden of RVF and CCHF. Sheep, cattle, and camels are the main animal reservoirs for the RVF and CCHF viruses. Culex antennatus and Cx. poicilipes mosquitoes and Hyalomma dromedarii, H. rufipes, and Rhipicephalus everesti ticks are the main vectors of these viruses. DEN outbreaks occurred mainly in the urban settings, including in Nouakchott, the capital city, and Aedes aegypti is likely the main mosquito vector. Therefore, there is a need to implement an integrated management strategy for the prevention and control of arboviral diseases based on sensitizing the high-risk occupational groups, such as slaughterhouse workers, shepherds, and butchers for zoonotic diseases, reinforcing vector surveillance and control, introducing rapid point-of-care diagnosis of arboviruses in high-risk areas, and improving the capacities to respond rapidly when the first signs of disease outbreak are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallahi El Ghassem
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Bedia Abdoullah
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Jemila Deida
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Mohamed Aly Ould Lemrabott
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Mohamed Ouldabdallahi Moukah
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Mohamed Salem Ould Ahmedou Salem
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Sébastien Briolant
- Unité de Parasitologie Entomologie, Département de Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 13005 Marseille, France;
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France;
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Leonardo K. Basco
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France;
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Khyarhoum Ould Brahim
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
| | - Ali Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary
- Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott, Nouakchott BP 880, Mauritania; (A.E.G.); (B.A.); (J.D.); (M.A.O.L.); (M.O.M.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (K.O.B.)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France;
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El Moustapha I, Deida J, Dadina M, El Ghassem A, Begnoug M, Hamdinou M, Mint Lekweiry K, Ould Ahmedou Salem MS, Khalef Y, Semane A, Ould Brahim K, Briolant S, Bogreau H, Basco L, Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary A. Changing epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Nouakchott, Mauritania: a six-year (2015-2020) prospective study. Malar J 2023; 22:18. [PMID: 36650533 PMCID: PMC9843100 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium vivax malaria is one of the major infectious diseases of public health concern in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania and the biggest urban setting in the Sahara. The assessment of the current trends in malaria epidemiology is primordial in understanding the dynamics of its transmission and developing an effective control strategy. METHODS A 6 year (2015-2020) prospective study was carried out in Nouakchott. Febrile outpatients with a clinical suspicion of malaria presenting spontaneously at Teyarett Health Centre or the paediatric department of Mother and Children Hospital Centre were screened for malaria using a rapid diagnostic test, microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood films, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism and InStat software. RESULTS Of 1760 febrile patients included in this study, 274 (15.5%) were malaria-positive by rapid diagnostic test, 256 (14.5%) were malaria-positive by microscopy, and 291 (16.5%) were malaria-positive by PCR. Plasmodium vivax accounted for 216 of 291 (74.2%) PCR-positive patients; 47 (16.1%) and 28 (9.6%) had P. falciparum monoinfection or P. vivax-P. falciparum mixed infection, respectively. During the study period, the annual prevalence of malaria declined from 29.2% in 2015 to 13.2% in 2019 and 2.1% in 2020 (P < 0.05). Malaria transmission was essentially seasonal, with a peak occurring soon after the rainy season (October-November), and P. vivax infections, but not P. falciparum infections, occurred at low levels during the rest of the year. The most affected subset of patient population was adult male white and black Moors. The decline in malaria prevalence was correlated with decreasing annual rainfall (r = 0.85; P = 0.03) and was also associated with better management of the potable water supply system. A large majority of included patients did not possess or did not use bed nets. CONCLUSIONS Control interventions based on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should be reinforced in Nouakchott, and P. vivax-specific control measures, including chloroquine and 8-aminoquinolines (primaquine, tafenoquine) for treatment, should be considered to further improve the efficacy of interventions and aim for malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inejih El Moustapha
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Jemila Deida
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Mariem Dadina
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Abdellahi El Ghassem
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Mariem Begnoug
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Mariem Hamdinou
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Khadijetou Mint Lekweiry
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania ,Unité de Recherche Ressources Génétique et Environnement, Institut Supérieur d’Enseignement Technologique (ISET), Rosso, Mauritania
| | - Mohamed Salem Ould Ahmedou Salem
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Yacoub Khalef
- Department of Pediatrics, Mother and Children Hospital Centre, Centre Hospitalier Mère et Enfant (CHME), Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Amal Semane
- Teyarett Health Centre (Centre de Santé de Teyarett), Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Khyarhoum Ould Brahim
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Sébastien Briolant
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France ,grid.483853.10000 0004 0519 5986IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France ,grid.418221.cUnité de Parasitologie Entomologie, Département de Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Marseille, France
| | - Hervé Bogreau
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France ,grid.483853.10000 0004 0519 5986IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France ,grid.418221.cUnité de Parasitologie Entomologie, Département de Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Marseille, France
| | - Leonardo Basco
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France ,grid.483853.10000 0004 0519 5986IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Ali Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary
- grid.442613.60000 0000 8717 1355Unité de Recherche Génomes et Milieux (GEMI), Université de Nouakchott, Nouveau Campus Universitaire, BP 5026, Nouakchott, Mauritania ,grid.483853.10000 0004 0519 5986IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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El Vally A, Bollahi MA, Ould Ahmedou Salem MS, Deida J, Parola P, Basco L, El Bara A, Ouldabdallahi M, Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary A. Retrospective overview of a COVID-19 outbreak in Mauritania. New Microbes New Infect 2020; 38:100788. [PMID: 33082959 PMCID: PMC7560268 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is currently ongoing in Mauritania. Until 1 July 2020, Mauritania health authorities reported 41 862 serologic and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR tests performed, of which 4472 (10.7%) were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Male subjects were significantly more affected (57.1%) than female subjects (42.9%). Individuals of the age groups 15–34 years (35.8%) and 35–54 years (36.6%) were the most affected. There were 129 deaths (2.9%), 1677 recoveries (37.5%) and 2666 active cases (59.6%) of which 2261 (84.8%) were asymptomatic, 394 (14.7%) had mild symptoms and 11 (0.4%) had severe symptoms. A large proportion of fatalities (72%, 85/118) occurred among adults aged ≥55 years. Of 4472 positive cases, 4241 (94.8%) were infected through contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, 133 (3.0%) had no contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and 98 (2.2%) were imported. As a response to COVID-19, the Mauritanian authorities announced a set of preventive measures, including closure of land and air borders, night curfew, closure of markets, schools and universities and restriction of movement between cities. Control measures included the systematic testing of symptomatic patients, isolation and management of active cases, contact tracing and quarantine of people who have been in contact with a COVID-19–positive individual. We discuss the efforts of the Mauritanian government to combat this potentially life-threatening pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A El Vally
- Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Mauritania
| | - M A Bollahi
- Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Mauritania.,Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Laboratoire de virologie, Ministère de la santé
| | - M S Ould Ahmedou Salem
- Université de Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR Génomes et milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Mauritania
| | - J Deida
- Université de Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR Génomes et milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Mauritania
| | - P Parola
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, SSA, VITROME, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - L Basco
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, SSA, VITROME, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - A El Bara
- Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Mauritania.,Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Laboratoire de virologie, Ministère de la santé
| | - M Ouldabdallahi
- Initiative mauritanienne pour la lutte contre les maladies endémiques 'MEDCINGO', Dar Naim, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - A Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary
- Université de Nouakchott Al Aasriya, Laboratoire Environnement, Santé et société, UR Génomes et milieux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Mauritania.,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, SSA, VITROME, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Deida J, Tahar R, Khalef YO, Lekweiry KM, Hmeyade A, Khairy MLO, Simard F, Bogreau H, Basco L, Boukhary AOMS. Oasis Malaria, Northern Mauritania 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:273-280. [PMID: 30666926 PMCID: PMC6346462 DOI: 10.3201/eid2502.180732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A malaria survey was conducted in Atar, the northernmost oasis city in Mauritania, during 2015–2016. All febrile patients in whom malaria was suspected were screened for malaria by using rapid diagnostic testing and microscopic examination of blood smears and later confirmed by PCR. Of 453 suspected malaria cases, 108 (23.8%) were positive by rapid diagnostic testing, 154 (34.0%) by microscopic examination, and 162 (35.7%) by PCR. Malaria cases were observed throughout the year and among all age groups. Plasmodium vivax was present in 120/162 (74.1%) cases, P. falciparum in 4/162 (2.4%), and mixed P. falciparum–P. vivax in 38/162 (23.4%). Malaria is endemic in northern Mauritania and could be spreading farther north in the Sahara, possibly because of human-driven environmental changes. Further entomologic and parasitologic studies and monitoring are needed to relate these findings to major Anopheles mosquito vectors and to design and implement strategies for malaria prevention and control.
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