Seroepidemiological study of Dengue Virus Infection in Parsa District of Nepal

Abstract

Dengue fever (DF) is an emerging mosquito borne viral disease and important public health problem in low land of Terai region which is also expanding to hilly region of Nepal. The study aims to shed light on the clinical,epidemiological and serological aspects associated with dengue virus infections (DVI) and its implications in future diagnosis, management,prevention and control of the disease in Nepal. Two hundred sixty one serum samples were collected from patients suspected of dengue virus infection visiting hospitals of Parsa districts during July-December of 2013 and tested by IgM Capture Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(Standard Diagnostic INC., Korea) and Dengue IgM/IgG Rapid immunochromatographic test kit(Panbio, Australia).The anti-dengue IgM positivity was found to be 18.8%and 15.3% by IgM capture Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Rapid immunochromatographic test respectively. Among 49 anti-dengue IgM positive cases, the highest numbers 40(15.3%) cases were observed in age group of 15-50 years. Student was the most commonly affected with the highest number of positive cases 16(6.2%). Patients with Joint pain, retro-orbital pain and Skin rash as clinical symptoms were more likely to be diagnosed as anti-dengue IgM positive.The highest numbers 41(20.6%) of cases have duration of fever more than 5 days among IgM positive cases.Knowledge of dengue was found in20(11.6%) of anti-dengue IgM positive cases. Water logging 15(10.9%) and Travel to endemic area 10(37%) were found as the more likely risk factors in anti-dengue IgM positive cases.Flowerpot was found as the most likely breeding place with the highest number of positive cases 19(36.5%).Use of net 87.3% and change stored water 85.8%was the most likely used preventive measures respectively.The diagnostic accuracy of RDT for the detection of IgM antibody is low. So it would be better to use ELISA test than RDT whenever possible.