Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Chikungunya virus among outpatients with febrile illness attending University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, there is paucity of information on the epidemiology of infections due to Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) especially among patients with febrile illness. Cases of febrile illness are usually associated with malaria and typhoid fever without considering the possibility of viral aetiology. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and identify other epidemiological parameters of CHIKV infections among outpatients with febrile illness attending University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Sera from 370 patients were tested for presence of CHIKV immunoglobin (Ig) IgM and IgG antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 370 sera tested, 39 (10.5%) were positive for presence of CHIKV antibodies. A total of 24 (6.5%) tested positive for CHIKV IgM only, while none (0.0%) was positive for the presence of CHIKV IgG only. Fifteen (4.1%) of the serum samples simultaneously reacted to both IgG and IgM antibodies. A significant difference (p<0.0001) was observed in the distribution of CHIKV antibodies in relation to gender. The males had prevalence of 8.5% IgM antibodies as against 4.6% in females, 4.6% of females were positive for both CHIKV IgG and IgM antibodies, compared to 3.4% in males. The age group ≤60 years and the undisclosed age group were positive for the presence of CHIKV IgG and/or IgM antibodies. No significant difference was observed in the seasonal prevalence of CHIKV antibodies among the study subjects. Analysis of the prevalence of CHIKV antibodies in relation to clinical presentation in the patients revealed that headache and fever were the most frequently encountered ailments.

Evidence of chikungunya virus infections among febrile patients at three secondary health facilities in the Ashanti and the Bono Regions of Ghana

“…The overall CHIKV specific seropositivity reported in the current study was lower than the 27.69% reported by Manu et al, (2019) separate and independent studies conducted in different parts of Nigeria. However, the overall low CHIKV antibodies seropositivity observed in the current study was comparable to that (4.1%) reported by Akinola et al, (2017) in Nigeria [25]. The low CHIKV specific IgM seropositivity detected in the current is consistent with that reported in a study in Tanzania by Kinimi et al, (2018) [26].…”

Seroprevalence of chikungunya virus infection in five hospitals within Anyigba, Kogi State of Nigeria

“…Males were more exposed to CHIKV in the present study, despite having more febrile females visiting the health facilities ( Table 1 ). This sex bias has been previously reported 20 , 21 , 22 and may be attributed to cultural habits and behaviours which predispose males to more bites by Aedes species. Men are more adventurous; they hunt and fend for the family, irrespective of the place and time.…”

Screening of immunoglobulin g antibodies against chikungunya virus among urban population in Ilorin Nigeria

“…This observational survey highlights previous exposure to CHIKV infection in urban populations within the guinea Savannah region of Nigeria. Prevalence rate of 24.7% observed in this study is higher than 4.1% reported in the arid north located in Sahel Savanah (Akinola et al, 2017) and lower than 31.4% reported in the rain forest southern region (Olajiga et al, 2017). In the arid part of Nigeria the climate is harsh and relatively high temperature does not favour preponderance of vectors hence the lower prevalence observed.…”