Arboviral infections are a public health concern and an escalating problem worldwide. Estimating the burden of these diseases represents a major challenge that is complicated by the large number of unapparent infections, especially those of dengue fever. Serological surveys are thus required to identify the distribution of these diseases and measure their impact. Therefore, we undertook a scoping review of the literature to describe and summarize epidemiological practices, findings and insights related to seroprevalence studies of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus, which have rapidly expanded across the globe in recent years. Relevant studies were retrieved through a literature search of MEDLINE, WHOLIS, Lilacs, SciELO and Scopus (2000 to 2018). In total, 1389 publications were identified. Studies addressing the seroprevalence of dengue, chikungunya and/or Zika written in English or French and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. In total, 147 studies were included, from which 185 data points were retrieved, as some studies used several different samples. Most of the studies were exclusively conducted on dengue (66.5%), but 16% were exclusively conducted on chikungunya, and 7 were exclusively conducted on Zika; the remainder were conducted on multiple arboviruses. A wide range of designs were applied, but most studies were conducted in the general population (39%) and in households (41%). Although several assays were used, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were the predominant test used (77%). The temporal distribution of chikungunya studies followed the virus during its rapid expansion since 2004. The results revealed heterogeneity of arboviruses seroprevalence between continents and within a given country for dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, ranging from 0 to 100%, 76% and 73% respectively. Serological surveys provide the most direct measurement for defining the immunity landscape for infectious diseases, but the methodology remains difficult to implement. Overall, dengue, chikungunya and Zika serosurveys followed the expansion of these arboviruses, but there remain gaps in their geographic distribution. This review addresses the challenges for researchers regarding study design biases. Moreover, the development of reliable, rapid and affordable diagnosis tools represents a significant issue concerning the ability of seroprevalence surveys to differentiate infections when multiple viruses co-circulate. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are among the most important of the emerging infectious disease public health problems facing the world. The actual impact of arboviruses worldwide remains unknown, and estimating the true burden of these diseases represents a current challenge. Serological surveys are the most reliable tool for estimating the impact of arboviruses outbreaks in a given territory, and the results of such surveys have implications for potential mitigation measures such as vaccination. We undertook a thorough review of the literature produced from 2000 to March 15, 2018, addressing the seroprevalence of dengue, chikungunya and/or Zika to describe and summarize methodological approaches and map the geographical distribution of seroprevalence studies for these three viruses worldwide. A total of 185 studies addressing the seroprevalence of dengue, chikungunya and/or Zika were included in the review. Most of the studies were exclusively conducted on dengue (66.5%), but 16% were exclusively conducted on chikungunya, and 7 studies were exclusively conducted on Zika; the remainder were conducted on multiple arboviruses. Our study reveals that a wide range of methodological designs were applied regarding population, recruitment and/or laboratory testing. This study also highlights the high seroprevalence heterogeneity between continents and within a given country for dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. The results underscore existing gaps in seroprevalence studies distribution worldwide and the need to develop the most sensitive and specific diagnosis tool to provide recommendations for future serological studies.

Dengue fever epidemic dynamics are driven by complex interactions between hosts, vectors and viruses. Associations between climate and dengue have been studied around the world, but the results have shown that the impact of the climate can vary widely from one study site to another. In French Guiana, climate-based models are not available to assist in developing an early warning system. This study aims to evaluate the potential of using oceanic and atmospheric conditions to help predict dengue fever outbreaks in French Guiana. Lagged correlations and composite analyses were performed to identify the climatic conditions that characterized a typical epidemic year and to define the best indices for predicting dengue fever outbreaks during the period 1991–2013. A logistic regression was then performed to build a forecast model. We demonstrate that a model based on summer Equatorial Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures and Azores High sea-level pressure had predictive value and was able to predict 80% of the outbreaks while incorrectly predicting only 15% of the non-epidemic years. Predictions for 2014–2015 were consistent with the observed non-epidemic conditions, and an outbreak in early 2016 was predicted. These findings indicate that outbreak resurgence can be modeled using a simple combination of climate indicators. This might be useful for anticipating public health actions to mitigate the effects of major outbreaks, particularly in areas where resources are limited and medical infrastructures are generally insufficient. Climatic determinants are amongst the most frequently cited in studies aimed at understanding and explaining the dynamics of vector-borne infections, and dengue in particular. French Guiana, a French overseas territory in which the vector Aedes aegypti is well established, experiences an epidemic cycle of dengue with large and prolonged epidemics occurring approximately every 3 years. Dengue is one of the most prioritized infectious diseases, and it requires an intense mobilization of local public health authorities, health services, and health professional and vector control services. A specific surveillance, preparedness and response plan has been developed based upon these needs. Gaining an accurate understanding of the drivers of dengue transmission is required to develop a model to predict the risk of an epidemic and to plan activities aimed at controlling it. Here, we assessed the effects of climatic factors on dengue spread to develop a predictive model of the epidemics in French Guiana on a country-wide scale. The goal of the model is to anticipate and plan both preventive and control activities. Given climate conditions, the model predicts that a dengue epidemic is likely to occur in early 2016. These conditions, which are favorable for Aedes mosquito proliferation, could also enhance the diffusion of other arboviruses, such as the Zika virus, in northeastern South America.

Dengue is a public health concern across the globe, and an escalating problem in the Americas. As part of a wider programme (covering Latin America and South East Asia) to characterize the epidemiology of dengue in dengue endemic areas, we undertook a systematic literature review to assess epidemiological trends (incidence, timing and duration of outbreaks/epidemics, age and sex distribution, serotype distribution, seroprevalence and disease severity) for dengue across the French Territories of the Americas (FTA), in French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy between 2000 and 2012 (CRD42012002341: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42012002341). Of 413 relevant data sources identified, 45 were eligible for inclusion. A large proportion of the available data were from national surveillance reports, and 12 publications were from peer-reviewed journals. During the review period, 3–5 epidemics were identified in each of the island territories and French Guiana, and epidemics were often associated with a shift in the predominant circulating dengue virus serotype. Substantial gaps in epidemiological knowledge were identified. In particular, information regarding dengue virus genotype distribution, seroprevalence and age distribution of dengue were lacking. Additionally, much of the available data were from epidemic years; data from inter-epidemic periods were sparse. Nevertheless, the available epidemiological data showed that dengue is endemic across the FTA and suggest an evolution towards hyperendemicity, highlighting the need to continue the efforts with the existing surveillance programmes to assist in planning an effective vaccination programme once a dengue vaccine is deployed. PROSPERO CRD42012002341 Dengue disease is a mosquito-borne viral illness and is a major health concern in the Americas. We conducted a literature analysis and review to describe the epidemiology of dengue in the French Territories of the Americas (FTA), comprising French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, to determine the impact of dengue on the population and to identify research priorities. We used well-defined methods to search for and identify relevant research conducted between 2000 and 2012. We identified an increase in the frequency, magnitude and severity of dengue epidemics across all the territories, an increase in the co-circulation of serotypes and the evolution to a hyperendemic state. Countries sharing geographical and environmental characteristics (e.g., Martinique and Guadeloupe, and Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin) also shared characteristics in dengue epidemiology and its evolution, including timing of epidemics and circulating serotypes. Gaps in epidemiological knowledge provide several avenues for research, such as dengue virus genotype distribution, seroprevalence and age distribution of dengue cases. Epidemiological and virological surveillance of dengue in the FTA is evolving, and improved knowledge of the disease in these territories will improve anticipation of epidemics and aid implementation of control measures.