Dengue virus infection in Saudi Arabia from 2003 to 2023: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yahya A Almutawif, Amjad A Yousuf, Maha H Aljohani, Khalid Hajissa, Hayam A Alrasheed, Maha F Al-Subaie, Amer Alshengeti, Jumana M Al-Jishi, Shahab A Alsuliman, Hejji E Alahmed, Maha A Alshiekheid, Ali A Rabaan, Fareed Almalki, Ameen M Alramadan, Safaa Abdulrahman Turkistani

Journal: Pathogens and global health 2025;118(7-8):549-558

PMID: 39508063

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) remains one of the most common arboviral infections threatening humans. This study was conducted to systematically review the available literature and provide an updated overview of the overall prevalence of DENV infection in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence data was pooled from 21,891 participants recruited in 17 studies. Using random-effects model, the overall prevalence of DENV infection in Saudi Arabia was calculated as 30.8% (95% CI: 20.8-49.8%). The pooled IgM and IgG seroprevalence rates were 17.7% and 26.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the detection of DENV-NS1 antigen and viral RNA revealed pooled estimates of 16.4% and 37.0%, respectively. This study reports a relatively high burden of DENV infection in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this SRMA provide valuable information on the epidemiology of DENV infections in the country, highlighting the need for additional epidemiological investigations to assess the current situation of DENV infection in the country.

Address: College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan.; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Infection prevention and control, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Research Center, Dr. Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Department of infectious diseases, King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.; Infectious Disease Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.; Internal medicine department, Qatif central hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.; Clinical microbiology department, Eradah and Mental Health Complex, Taif, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank, King Fahad Hospital, Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.; Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.; Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.

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