Epidemiology of dengue disease in Malaysia (2000-2012): a systematic literature review

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Nov 6;8(11):e3159. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003159. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

A literature survey and analysis was conducted to describe the epidemiology of dengue disease in Malaysia between 2000 and 2012. Published literature was searched for epidemiological studies of dengue disease, using specific search strategies for each electronic database; 237 relevant data sources were identified, 28 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The epidemiology of dengue disease in Malaysia was characterized by a non-linear increase in the number of reported cases from 7,103 in 2000 to 46,171 in 2010, and a shift in the age range predominance from children toward adults. The overall increase in dengue disease was accompanied by a rise in the number, but not the proportion, of severe cases. The dominant circulating dengue virus serotypes changed continually over the decade and differed between states. Several gaps in epidemiological knowledge were identified; in particular, studies of regional differences, age-stratified seroprevalence, and hospital admissions.

Protocol registration: PROSPERO #CRD42012002293.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Dengue / epidemiology*
  • Dengue Virus / classification*
  • Dengue Virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Malaysia / epidemiology
  • Seasons
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Serogroup
  • Sex Distribution
  • Socioeconomic Factors

Grants and funding

Sanofi Pasteur sponsored this survey and analysis. The sponsors of this study formed part of the literature review group. The role of the sponsors in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish and preparation of the manuscript is detailed below. The literature review group, which included members of the sponsor Sanofi Pasteur, were responsible for the conception of the literature analysis, development of the protocol, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, provision of critical comments, writing the paper and approving the final version to be published. All authors were involved in the decision to submit this paper for publication in PLoS NTDs.