BackgroundDengue is caused by an arthropod-borne flavivirus. Infection can be either primary or secondary based on serology, with each stage of the disease characterized by specific serological conversion and antibody formation. Further study is needed to fully identify the factors associated with and predisposing to dengue infection. The objective of this study was to identify socio-demographic factors associated with the prevalence of dengue serotypes in Kassala State in the eastern part of Sudan in 2011.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional community-based study with 530 participants who were randomly selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Dengue serotype prevalence was determined using capture Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA IgG. A multivariate logistic regression model was designed to measure the strength of associations between socio-demographic factors and dengue serotype prevalence. All participants who tested negative for dengue were used as the statistical reference group.ResultsFrom this study, the prevalence of dengue in Kassala was estimated to be 9.4 % (95 % CI: 7.1–12.3). Lack of knowledge about dengue fever disease (OR 2.8, 95 % CI: 1.24–6.53) and a household density of more than 3 people per room (OR 2.1, 95 % CI: 1.06–4.09) were the most important factors associated with dengue infection among the study population.ConclusionsCommunity-oriented interventions are needed to modify existing social behaviors to reduce the risk of dengue in the eastern part of Sudan. Additional studies are also required in this field.

Indoor (household) behaviors associated with DF infection should be modified to mitigate the infection risk in the study area. Awareness should be raised regarding DF in Lagawa to ensure community participation in all control measures, and the surveillance system at the border between Sudan and the republic of South Sudan should be strengthened.

Background: In order to assess the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) as a method for malaria control, there is a need to determine how high is the retention of bed nets, how they are utilized, and how efficacious they are against the mosquitoes that transmit the disease. This is especially important in case of Sudan after emergence of resistance to pyrethroids in use.

BackgroundEarly diagnosis and treatment of malaria are necessary components in the control of malaria. The gold standard light microscopy technique has high sensitivity, but is a relatively time-consuming procedure especially during epidemics and in areas of high endemicity. This study attempted to test the sensitivity and specificity of a new diagnostic tool - the Cyscope® fluorescence microscope, which is based on the use of Plasmodium nucleic acid-specific fluorescent dyes to facilitate detection of the parasites even in low parasitaemia conditions due to the contrast with the background.MethodsIn this study, 293 febrile patients above the age of 18 years attending the malaria treatment centre in Sinnar State (Sudan) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Finger-prick blood samples were also collected from the participants to be tested for malaria using the hospital's microscope, the reference laboratory microscope, as well as the Cyscope® microscope. The results of the investigations were then used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Cyscope® microscope in reference to gold standard light microscopy.ResultsThe sensitivity was found to be 98.2% (95% CI: 90.6%-100%); specificity = 98.3% (95% CI: 95.7% - 99.5%); positive predictive value = 93.3% (95% CI: 83.8% - 98.2%); and negative predictive value = 99.6% (95% CI: 97.6% - 100%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the Cyscope® microscope was found to be sensitive, specific and provide rapid, reliable results in a matter of less than 10 minutes. The Cyscope® microscope should be considered as a viable, cheaper and time-saving option for malaria diagnosis, especially in areas where Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant parasite.

Dengue fever is a vector-borne disease that is transmitted to humans by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The eastern part of the Sudan is one of the regions that is affected by dengue virus circulation. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of dengue infections in the Kassala state in the eastern part of the Sudan. The study objective was to estimate the sero-prevalence of dengue IgG/IgM antibodies in the Kassala locality in 2011. This was a cross sectional community-based study that utilized a multi-stage cluster sampling technique regarding the probability sampling the study participants. Capture ELISA serological techniques were used for both IgM and IgG, with the specific cut-offs for each set by the manufacturer. The prevalence of dengue infection was found to be 9.4% (95% CI: 7.1-12.3). In conclusion, there is evidence that the dengue virus is being transmitted in Kassala. Disease surveillance, including the clinical, serological and entomological components, should be strengthened, and additional epidemiological studies are needed to better understand of the disease burden and effects in the area.