Browsing by Author "Paweska, J. T."
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Item Distribution and diversity of mosquitoes and the role of Aedes in the transmission of arboviruses in selected districts of Tanzania(2017-12-25) Patrick, N. P.; Kinimi, E.; Shayo, M/ J.; Ang eenyi, S. O.; Weyer, P.; van Vuren, P. J.; Paweska, J. T.; Mboera, L. E. G.; Rweyemamu, M. M.; Misinzo, G.; Kasanga, C. J.Arboviruses belong to various families of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, mainly mosquitoes and often cause diseases in humans. The objective of this study was to determine mosquito diversity and transmission of arboviruses by Aedes in selected ecosystems in Tanzania. Adult mosquitoes were collected from rural and urban settings using carbon dioxide-baited CDC light traps, Biogent sentinel traps, and the Mosquito Magnet traps. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction assay was performed on pooled adult Aedes mosquitoes to detect the presence of Chikungunya, Dengue, Rift Valley fever (RVF) and Yellow fever (YF) viruses. A total of 42, 77 mosquitoes belonging to five genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia and Mimomyia) and 18 species were collected. Culex accounted for the largest (62.7%; n= 2,682) proportion of the mosquitoes while Anopheles for the lowest proportion (5.7%; n=245). Of the total mosquitoes collected, Culex quinquefasciatus accounted for more than a half (53.4%; n=2692), followed by Aedes aegypti 12.1% (n=520). Of the 34 adult Ae. aegypti pools tested, arboviruses were detected in 33(97%) pools. Dengue virus was detected in 47.6% (10/ 21) pools which tested positive for Flaviruses. Chikungunya virus was detected in 30% (3/ 10) pools which were positive for Alphavirus genera. Of 2 pools tested positive for Bunyavirus genus, Rift Valley fever virus was detected in 1 pool (50%). The presence of various mosquito vectors and detection of arboviruses in aedes mosquitoes leave the population of Tanzania at great risk of transmission of different pathogens and highlight a need for vector control measures in the country.Item Evidence of chikungunya virus infection among febrile patients seeking healthcare in selected districts of Tanzania(Taylor & Francis, 2018) Kinimi, E.; Shayo, M. J.; Patrick, B. N.; Angwenyi, S. O.; Kasanga, C. J.; Weyer, J.; Vuren, P. J.; Paweska, J. T.; Mboera, L. E.G.; Misinzo, G.Introduction: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that has been associated with frequent epidemics in the world. However, there is a dearth of information on its magnitude and associated risk factors in Tanzania. Objective: A study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of CHIKV among febrile patients seeking medical care at health facilities in Karagwe, Sengerema, Kilombero and Kyela districts. Methods: Structured questionnaires were administered and 728 serum samples were col- lected between May and June, 2015 and tested for the presence of CHIKV-IgM and IgG- specific antibodies using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results and discussion: The common clinical characteristics exhibited by outpatients were fever, headache and joint pains (100%, 70%, and 68.3% respectively). Out of 728 outpatients screened for CHIKV, 105 (14%) tested CHIKV IgG positive whilst 11 (1.5%) tested CHIKV IgM positive. Chikungunya seropositivity was significantly higher than previously reported in Tanzania. The most affected age group was 20–29 years. Our results indicate that CHIKV infection is prevalent and contributes to the burden of febrile illnesses in Tanzania. The seroprevalence varies between districts, reflecting variation in mosquito vector transmission dynamics in different parts of the country. Received 23 September 2018 Accepted 19 November 2018 KEYWORDS Chikungunya; seroprevalence; febrile illness; mosquito-borne; Tanzania Abbreviations: CHIKV: Chikungunya virus; EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IgG: Immunoglobulin G; IgM: Immunoglobulin M; NIMR: National Institute for Medical Research; RU: Relative Units; SACIDS: Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance; USA: United States of America