Zoonotic causes of febrile illness in malaria endemic countries: a systematic review

A review to describe the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic causes of human febrile illness reported in malaria endemic countries

Abstract

Fever is one of the most common reasons for seeking health care globally and most human pathogens are zoonotic. We conducted a systematic review to describe the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic causes of human febrile illness reported in malaria endemic countries. We included data from 53 (48·2%) of 110 malaria endemic countries and 244 articles that described diagnosis of 30 zoonoses in febrile people. The majority (17) of zoonoses were bacterial, with nine viruses, three protozoa, and one helminth also identified. Leptospira species and non-typhoidal salmonella serovars were the most frequently reported pathogens. Despite evidence of profound data gaps, this Review reveals widespread distribution of multiple zoonoses that cause febrile illness. Greater understanding of the epidemiology of zoonoses in different settings is needed to improve awareness about these pathogens and the management of febrile illness.

This is a publication arising from the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) programme

Citation

Halliday J, Carugati M, Snavely M, Allan K, Beamesderfer J, Ladbury G, Hoyle D, Holland P, Crump J, Cleaveland S, Rubach M (2020). Zoonotic causes of febrile illness in malaria endemic countries: a systematic review. Lancet Infect Dis. 20(2):e27-e37.

Zoonotic causes of febrile illness in malaria endemic countries: a systematic review

Updates to this page

Published 1 February 2020