A scientometric and bibliometric analysis of world scientific production on dengue in Microsoft Academic (1828-2019)

Abstract

Dengue has become one of the rapidly spreading reemerging mosquito-borne infections that represents a significant threat to approximately half of the world's population. It is a subject that has received constant attention throughout almost two centuries and this is demonstrated by the wide range of research on the subject. Despite the existence of a possible vaccine (Dengvaxia), even in testing stages and not approved in all countries, the best remedy remains information and prevention. The objective of this work is to offer a scientometric and bibliometric evaluation related to Dengue research around the world during 1828-2019. The data provided by Microsoft Academic, an academic material search engine through the Academic Knowledge API was used. The collection was carried out in March 2020 by means a C # script to obtain all the records whose field of study is "dengue fever" to be analyzed from different angles. The results show that the study of dengue shows a general upward trend in the number of publications from 1943 to 2016, with a peak of 3,426 in that last year, although in subsequent years it had a decrease of between 10% and 20% in relation to peak of 2016, interest in the subject is still relevant. This bibliometric analysis has demonstrated the main role that the United States and Brazil play as the most productive countries in dengue research; virology, medicine and biology being the most frequent areas of research; being the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Brazil) the most productive institution with 2,267 publications and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most central organization in the collaboration network; Maria G. Guzman from Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute (Cuba) with 211 publications was found to be the most productive author in the field of dengue research and the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (United States) the most preferred journal by researchers with 824 publications. On the constant threat posed by the dengue virus, this work was carried out with the aim of producing a general picture of where the field of research on this topic is currently located. The findings can be used to strengthen a global knowledge platform to guide policy, planning and funding decisions, as well as to provide instructions to researchers and institutions.