A study on prevalence, an association of platelet count and seasonal distribution of Dengue from a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Dengue virus, transmitted through the bite of Aedesaegypti mosquitoes, is the causative agent of Dengue fever and Dengue shock syndrome. There are five serotypes of Dengue viruses identified so far. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Dengue infection in a tertiary care hospital and to identify NS1Ag, IgM & IgG antibody depending on the duration of fever. This study is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from January 2016 to February 2017. Sera samples received in the Microbiology Laboratory, from patients suspected to have Dengue by the clinicians; were tested for Dengue NS1 Antigen, IgM & IgG antibody using ELISA. The prevalence of Dengue was analysed about parameters like age, gender and seasonal changes. The positivity of NS1 Antigen, IgM and IgG Antibody in relation to the duration of fever was analysed. Among the 150 patients enrolled 18.7% (n=28) tested positive for Dengue. Among 28 laboratory- confirmed cases NS1 antigen was positive in 15(53.6%), IgM antibody positive in 5 (17.8%), IgG antibody positive in 4 (14.3%), NS1 Antigen and IgM positive in 1 (3.6%), IgM and IgG antibody positive in 2 (7.10%) and all three parameters NS1 antigen IgM and IgG positive in 1 (3.6%). From the serological tests, it was deduced that 20 cases had primary Dengue (IgM positive) and 8 had secondary Dengue (IgM and IgG positive). By clinical evaluation, Dengue fever was in 28 cases; four cases had hemorrhagic manifestations. No patients had evidence of Dengue Shock Syndrome. A number of Dengue cases were recorded in December 2016 (18%).