English

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is a most significant febrile illness caused by a single stranded enveloped RNA virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivrus. Dengue infection is caused by any one of four distinctive antigenically related dengue virus serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. In India, a dengue virus infection has been frequently encountered in epidemic proportions in several states. There is no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was undertaken at a tertiary care teaching hospital at Kota from January 2013 to December 2013. Blood samples were received from patients of all age group suspected of dengue, DHF and Dengue Shock Syndrome. Sera were separated and preserved at 4°C till the time of testing. Sera were tested by dengue IgM antibody capture ELISA (MAC ELISA) (received from NIV, Pune) for IgM antibody detection as per kit insert. RESULT: During the study period, a total of 13077 blood samples were tested for dengue. Of all the patients tested, 9066 were males and 4011 were females. Dengue affected males and females in a ratio of 3.7:1. During this study, out of the total positive for dengue, positivity was highest (n=566, 31.65%) in the adult age group of >30 yrs followed by the age group of 15 to 30 yrs (n=408, 22.8%). DISCUSSION: Dengue is an important emerging disease of the tropical and subtropical regions today. Epidemics of dengue are increasing in frequency. The prevalence of dengue seropositivity among clinically suspected cases during the study period was 13.67%. Our study results call attention to the need for continuous surveillance and individual and community action for dengue control.