Tick-borne relapsing fever Borreliosis, a major public health problem overlooked in Senegal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is the most common vector-borne bacterial disease in humans in West Africa. It is frequently clinically confused with malaria. Our study aims to determine, on a micro-geographic scale, the conditions for the maintenance and spread of TBRF in the Niakhar district of Senegal.

Methodology/principal findings

We conducted clinical, entomological and animal reservoir investigations. Field surveys were carried out in order to investigate the presence of Ornithodoros sonrai vector ticks and to detect Borrelia spp. by qPCR using the 16S rRNA and glpQ genes, respectively. Micromammal trapping series were carried out inside homes and Borrelia infection was detected using brain tissue qPCR. Capillary blood samples from febrile patients were a

SUBMITTER: Ndiaye EHI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8096072 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature