Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) causes a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic, mild febrile to a life-threatening illness: dengue hemorrhagic fever. The main clinical symptom of dengue is fever, similar to that of malaria. The prevalence of dengue virus infection, alone or in association with other endemic infectious diseases in children in Cameroon is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dengue, malaria and HIV in children presenting with fever and associated risk factors. Dengue overall prevalence was 20.2%, Malaria cases were 52.7% and HIV cases represented 12.6%. The prevalence of dengue-HIV co-infection was 6.0% and that of Malaria-dengue co-infection was 19.5%. Triple infection prevalence was 4.3%. Dengue virus infection is present in children and HIV-Dengue or Dengue- Malaria co-infections are common. Dengue peak prevalence was between August and October. Sex and age were not associated with dengue and dengue co-infections. However, malaria as well as HIV were significantly associated with dengue (P = 0.001 and 0.028 respectively). The diagnosis of dengue and Malaria should be carried out routinely for better management of fever.
Highlights
Dengue is currently regarded as the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide [1,2] and is described as a “neglected” tropical disease by the World Health Organization [3]
This study present the prevalence of dengue fever among febrile children
Clinicians should be aware of the presence of dengue in Cameroon
Summary
Dengue is currently regarded as the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide [1,2] and is described as a “neglected” tropical disease by the World Health Organization [3]. Over 50% of the world’s population live in dengue endemic countries [3,4,5]. Malaria is the most important mosquito-borne parasitic disease. Both infections share similar clinical symptoms [2]. The true impact of dengue in most African countries is unknown due to inadequate surveillance, misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis, and low level of reporting or no reporting at all [6]. In Cameroon, dengue fever is not screened routinely, neither in children nor in adults. There is a licensed dengue vaccine available in many countries, but safety concerns and screening requirements limit its widespread use and impact. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated to dengue fever
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