Seroprevalence of dengue infection: A hospital based study from Udaipur, Rajasthan

Abstract

Dengue is one of the most important arthropod-borne viral infections, widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and associated with explosive urban epidemics and has become a major public health problem in India. The present study was conducted to detect prevalence of Dengue virus infection in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 640 patients clinically suspected of having dengue infection visiting a tertiary care hospital during the period of August 2016 to February 2018 were screened for the presence of Dengue NS1 antigen and IgM and IgG antibodies using one-step immune-chromatographic assay (Dengue Rapid IgM/IgG test and NS1 test by SD BIOLINE). Result: Out of 640 samples 62 samples (9.68%) were positive for Dengue virus infection. Out of total positive Sample for dengue virus infection, 61% samples were of male patients and 39% samples were from female patients. Among them 28% positive samples were from paediatric age group (Age 1-14 years) and rest were from Adult age group. Seasonal trend showed a gradual increase in Dengue positives starting from August with a peak in October. Most common presentation was fever (98%). Conclusion: Number of dengue cases is on increase in the region and continued surveillance is essential to determine epidemiological and seasonal trend.