Prevalence of dengue among clinically suspected febrile episodes at a teaching hospital in North India

Abstract

Dengue is one of the most serious mosquitos borne viral infection mainly affecting tropical and subtropical countries of the world. In absence of specific treatment and vaccine for dengue fever (DF); vector control is the only method by which spread of dengue can be prevented. As effective control and preventive programmes depend upon improved surveillance data, this study was done to report the seroprevalence of Dengue virus infection at Kanpur, North India. The laboratory records of clinically suspected Dengue patients from January 2006 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively for demographic features, seasonal variations, and results of IgM and IgG anti dengue antibodies tested by Dengue IGM capture enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (MAC ELISA). A total of 1227 serum samples were analyzed. Out of which 242 samples (19.7%) were found positive for dengue virus infection. Maximum positive cases were seen in 2010 (46.5%). Seasonal trend showed that infection started appearing in august, peaked in October and slowly tapered by December. The most affected age group was 0 to 15 years of age (Pediatric population), followed by 16 to 30 years group and majority of cases were found to be of secondary dengue virus infection (92%). The present outbreak thus emphasizes the need for continuous sero epidemiological surveillance for the timely formulation and implementation of effective dengue control programme. Key words: Dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (MAC ELISA), India, vector.