Circulation of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks in Upper Guinea-Republic of Guinea

Abstract

The aim of this study was to map the distribution of agents carrying the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (arbovirus-tica) in the natural region of Upper Guinea. The prefectures of Kankan, Dabola and Faranah were used as collection areas. Random sampling of different types of animals was used to collect the biomaterial. Two types of analysis methods (RT-PCR and ELISA) were used. Out of a total of 578 ticks collected and divided into 254 pools, the genus Amblyomma was the most frequently encountered with 83 tick pools. Molecular analysis (RT-PCR) for the detection of virus RNA revealed 2 positive cases (0.8%). Direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of Ag yielded only one positive case (0.4%). We found that the species Rhipicephalus geigyi was the main vector and reservoir of the pathogen in Upper Guinea.