Genetic and antigenic characterization of influenza A(H3N2) virus after 13 consecutive years of influenza surveillance in Senegal, 2010-2022.

Despite decades of influenza surveillance in many African countries, little is known about the evolutionary dynamics of seasonal influenza viruses. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological, genetic and antigenic profiles of A/H3N2 viruses in Senegal from 2010 to 2022. A/H3N2 infection was confirmed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Influenza A Virus in Pigs in Senegal and Risk Assessment of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) Emergence and Transmission to Human.

We conducted an active influenza surveillance in the single pig slaughterhouse in Dakar to investigate the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of influenza A viruses (IAVs) and to provide serologic evidence of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection in pigs at interfaces with human populations in Senegal. Nasal swab and blood samples were collected on a weekly basis from the same animal immediately after slaughter. Influenza A viruses were diagnosed using RT-qPCR and a subset of positive samples for H3 and H1 subtypes were selected for full genome amplification and NGS sequencing.

Epidemiology of Non-SARS-CoV2 Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs) in People Presenting with Influenza-like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in Senegal from 2012 to 2020.

In addition to emerging coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS, SARS-CoV-2), there are seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs): HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1. With a wide distribution around the world, HCoVs are usually associated with mild respiratory disease. In the elderly, young children and immunocompromised patients, more severe or even fatal respiratory infections may be observed.

Measles and Rubella Incidence and Molecular Epidemiology in Senegal: Temporal and Regional Trends during Twelve Years of National Surveillance, 2010-2021.

We investigated the epidemiology of measles and rubella infections in Senegal based on data from twelve consecutive years of laboratory-based surveillance (2010−2021) and conducted phylogenetic analyses of circulating measles viruses. Sera from measles-suspected cases were collected and tested for measles and rubella-specific IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Throat swabs were collected from patients with clinically diagnosed measles for confirmation by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and viral genotyping.

Molecular Detection of Human Herpes Viruses in Suspected Measles Serum Samples from Senegal, 2014 to 2017.

Herpesviruses are known to cause a diversity of clinical syndromes, ranging from minor cutaneous lesions to life-threatening illnesses, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Here, we investigate retrospectively the contribution of five human herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus Cytomegalovirus (CMV), the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in serum samples collected from measles suspected patients with at least fever and rash. Sera specimens were first tested for serological evidence of measles and rubella virus infection by ELISA, and DNA extracted from an aliquot of each clinical specimen for molecular detection of human herpes viruses by RT-qPCR.

Enterovirus D68 Subclade B3 in Children with Acute Flaccid Paralysis in West Africa, 2016.

We tested for enterovirus D68 in fecal samples collected during June-September 2016 from 567 patients with acute flaccid paralysis in 7 West Africa nations. Children <5 years old comprised 64.3% of enterovirus D68 positive patients.

Genetic characterization of the first detected human case of low pathogenic avian influenza A/H9N2 in sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal.

The H9N2 influenza virus has become one of the dominant subtypes of influenza virus circulating in poultry, wild birds, and can occasionally cross the mammalian species barrier. Here, we report the first human A/H9N2 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The patient was a child of 16 months' old living in the South-West of Senegal.

Enterovirus D68 Subclade B3 Circulation in Senegal, 2016: Detection from Influenza-like Illness and Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance.

Following the 2014 outbreak, active surveillance of the EV-D68 has been implemented in many countries worldwide. Despite subsequent EV-D68 outbreaks (2014 and 2016) reported in many areas, EV-D68 circulation remains largely unexplored in Africa except in Senegal, where low levels of EV-D68 circulation were first noted during the 2014 outbreak. Here we investigate subsequent epidemiology of EV-D68 in Senegal from June to September 2016 by screening respiratory specimens from ILI and stool from AFP surveillance.

Low Circulation of Subclade A1 Enterovirus D68 Strains in Senegal during 2014 North America Outbreak.

To retrospectively investigate enterovirus D68 circulation in Senegal during the 2014 US outbreak, we retrieved specimens from 708 persons, mostly children, who had acute respiratory symptoms during September-December 2014. Enterovirus D68 was detected in 14 children (2.1%); most cases occurred in October.

Epidemiological, clinical and genotypic features of human Metapneumovirus in patients with influenza-like illness in Senegal, 2012 to 2016.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a causal agent of acute respiratory infection, especially in primarily children. At the clinical level, HMPV is associated to several diseases including bronchitis, croup, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, reactive airway disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma exacerbations, specifically in children less than 5 years. Here, we carried out a retrospective pilot study, based on the processing of nasopharyngeal swabs, with a focus on the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of HMPV in Senegal.

Respiratory viruses in patients with influenza-like illness in Senegal: Focus on human respiratory adenoviruses.

Background: Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are highly contagious pathogens that are associated with a wide spectrum of human illnesses involving the respiratory tract. In the present study, we investigate the epidemiologic and viral molecular features of HAdVs circulating in Senegal after 4 consecutive years of sentinel surveillance of influenza-like Illness cases.

Methodology And Results: From January 2012 to December 2015 swabs were collected from consenting ILI outpatients.

Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Senegal after Four Consecutive Years of Surveillance, 2012-2015.

Background: The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection remains poorly defined in Africa. To address this, we carried out a descriptive and retrospective pilot study, with a focus on the epidemiology of RSV in Senegal after 4 years of surveillance.

Methodology And Results: From January 2012 to October 2015 swabs were collected from consenting ILI outpatients.

Enteroviruses and Rhinoviruses: Molecular Epidemiology of the Most Influenza-Like Illness Associated Viruses in Senegal.

Different viruses have been identified as etiologic agents of respiratory tract infections, including severe cases. Among these, human rhinoviruses (HRVs) and human enteroviruses (HEVs) are recognized as leading causes. The present study describes the molecular epidemiology of HRVs and HEVs in Senegal over a 3-year surveillance period.

Sentinel surveillance for influenza in Senegal, 1996-2009.

Background: Data on influenza in tropical and resource-limited countries are scarce. In this study we present results from 14 years of influenza surveillance in Senegal, one of the few tropical countries in Africa from which longitudinal data are available.

Methods: From 1996 to 2009, we collected respiratory specimens from outpatients presenting with influenza-like illness at 13 facilities in order to investigate the epidemiology of seasonal influenza and the characteristics of the circulating influenza viruses.

Delayed 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 circulation in West Africa, May 2009-April 2010.

To understand 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1]pdm09) circulation in West Africa, we collected influenza surveillance data from ministries of health and influenza laboratories in 10 countries, including Cameroon, from 4 May 2009 through 3 April 2010. A total of 10,203 respiratory specimens were tested, of which 25% were positive for influenza virus. Until the end of December 2009, only 14% of all detected strains were A(H1N1)pdm09, but the frequency increased to 89% from January through 3 April 2010.

Viral etiology of respiratory infections in children under 5 years old living in tropical rural areas of Senegal: The EVIRA project.

Acute respiratory infection is one of the leading causes of child morbidity, especially in developing countries. Viruses are recognized as the predominant causative agents of acute respiratory infections. In Senegal, few data concerning the causes of respiratory infections are available, and those known relate mainly to classical influenza infections.