Prevalence of dengue viral infections among febrile patients in Mombasa county Kenya
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Date
2014-09-05
Authors
Mulati, Omuyundo K.
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Abstract
Dengue virus infection is one of the major global public health problems, It is caused by one of
the four dengue virus (DENY) serotypes that are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Following
infection, an individual remains vulnerable to re-infection with a different serotype of the
DENY. The infection usually occurs with clinical manifestations ranging from an asymptomatic
or mild febrile illness as classical dengue fever to the potentially life-threatening illness, dengue
hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Despite the public health relevance, prevalence
of DENV infections among febrile patients in Mombasa County is unknown. This study was
conducted from February 2012 to July 2012 among patients visiting Coast Province General
Hospital with high fever. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of DENV infection
among febrile patients and describe the month-wise trend of the disease. A total of 390 blood
serum samples were collected and DENV specific IgM and flavivirus IgG antibodies were
determined by in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 390 febrile cases,
54 (13.9%) were found to be positive for anti-DENY IgM. Among the 54 dengue positive cases,
37 (68.5 %) were primary DENY infection and 17 (31. 5%) were secondary DENY infection.
The most 'affected age group was 36-45 years (20.4%) and least affected group being 6-•15years
(8.3%). Prevalence in difference age groups was statistically significant (p = 0.021). Primary
DENV infection was common among the age group between 36-45 years while secondary
dengue affected mostly the age group 26-35 years. In terms of primary DENV infection against
secondary DENV infection, it was observed that infants «1 year) were the most affected but this
was not statistically significant (p = 0.057). The relationship between gender and DENV
infections was not statistically significant (p = 0.936). Although, females aged between 26-35
years (p = 0.010) and males aged above 46 years (p = 0.012) were the most affected with DENY
infection. Month-wise distribution of DENV infection was' observed in February (20.0%) with
least occurrence in July (4.7%). The association between the month and occurrence of disease
was not statistically significant (p = 0.325). The present study has reported 13.9% prevalence of
Dengue virus infections as the cause of acute undifferentiated fever among febrile patients in
Mombasa County. Thus, calls for government attention to develop resources at hospital
laboratories for early dengue diagnosis and management of patients, coupled with general
awareness among the public and constant vigilance by the health care officials could help in
combating dengue.
Description
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 83p. 2014, RC 137 .M8