Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches
Abstract Viral meningitis is a significant yet often underreported public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where diagnostic limitations and surveillance gaps hinder accurate case detection. This systematic review examines epidemiological trends, etiologies, and laboratory diagnostic appro...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Virology Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02730-w |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850181762238382080 |
|---|---|
| author | Alene Geteneh Mulugeta Kiros Ephrem Tamrat Aragaw Tesfaye Yalewayker Gashaw Sirak Biset Melese Abate Reta |
| author_facet | Alene Geteneh Mulugeta Kiros Ephrem Tamrat Aragaw Tesfaye Yalewayker Gashaw Sirak Biset Melese Abate Reta |
| author_sort | Alene Geteneh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Viral meningitis is a significant yet often underreported public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where diagnostic limitations and surveillance gaps hinder accurate case detection. This systematic review examines epidemiological trends, etiologies, and laboratory diagnostic approaches to viral meningitis across SSA from 1987 to 2024. This data reveal that the prevalence of viral meningitis has shown an overall increasing trend, with a considerable year-to-year variability influenced by seasonal outbreaks, improved diagnostic methods, and enhanced surveillance efforts. Human enteroviruses (HEVs) were the most frequently identified causative agents, accounting for 1,164 confirmed cases, followed by the herpesvirus family, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Other detected viral pathogens include mumps virus, adenoviruses, coxsackievirus, and arboviruses such as dengue virus. The shift from traditional viral cultures to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR has significantly improved the case detection. Despite these advancements, substantial gaps remain in diagnostic accessibility, surveillance systems, and less research focus on viral meningitis in SSA. Addressing these challenges through improved surveillance, enhanced diagnostic capacity, and targeted public health strategies is crucial for mitigating the burden of viral meningitis in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d6f44a1ad0cf42f9b11b3a4d2cdf5d16 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1743-422X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virology Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-d6f44a1ad0cf42f9b11b3a4d2cdf5d162025-08-20T02:17:49ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2025-04-012211710.1186/s12985-025-02730-wViral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approachesAlene Geteneh0Mulugeta Kiros1Ephrem Tamrat2Aragaw Tesfaye3Yalewayker Gashaw4Sirak Biset5Melese Abate Reta6Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldia UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Raya UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldia UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Woldia UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldia UniversityDepartment of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldia UniversityAbstract Viral meningitis is a significant yet often underreported public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where diagnostic limitations and surveillance gaps hinder accurate case detection. This systematic review examines epidemiological trends, etiologies, and laboratory diagnostic approaches to viral meningitis across SSA from 1987 to 2024. This data reveal that the prevalence of viral meningitis has shown an overall increasing trend, with a considerable year-to-year variability influenced by seasonal outbreaks, improved diagnostic methods, and enhanced surveillance efforts. Human enteroviruses (HEVs) were the most frequently identified causative agents, accounting for 1,164 confirmed cases, followed by the herpesvirus family, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Other detected viral pathogens include mumps virus, adenoviruses, coxsackievirus, and arboviruses such as dengue virus. The shift from traditional viral cultures to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR has significantly improved the case detection. Despite these advancements, substantial gaps remain in diagnostic accessibility, surveillance systems, and less research focus on viral meningitis in SSA. Addressing these challenges through improved surveillance, enhanced diagnostic capacity, and targeted public health strategies is crucial for mitigating the burden of viral meningitis in the region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02730-wEpidemiologyViral meningitisEnterovirusesDiagnostic methodsSub-Saharan Africa |
| spellingShingle | Alene Geteneh Mulugeta Kiros Ephrem Tamrat Aragaw Tesfaye Yalewayker Gashaw Sirak Biset Melese Abate Reta Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches Virology Journal Epidemiology Viral meningitis Enteroviruses Diagnostic methods Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title | Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches |
| title_full | Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches |
| title_fullStr | Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches |
| title_short | Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches |
| title_sort | viral meningitis in sub saharan africa trends in prevalence etiologies and diagnostic approaches |
| topic | Epidemiology Viral meningitis Enteroviruses Diagnostic methods Sub-Saharan Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02730-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alenegeteneh viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT mulugetakiros viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT ephremtamrat viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT aragawtesfaye viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT yalewaykergashaw viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT sirakbiset viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches AT meleseabatereta viralmeningitisinsubsaharanafricatrendsinprevalenceetiologiesanddiagnosticapproaches |