Title: Study on Prevalence of Dengue Fever in a Tertiary Care Hospital, South Kerala
Authors: Nissi Mathew, Dr Jyothi Rajahamsan, Dr Sahira.H, Biju Rani, Dr Ramani Bai. J.T
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i1.40
Abstract
Background:- Dengue virus causes acute febrile illness in tropical and sub tropical settings and its clinical manifestations ranges from mild form of dengue fever (DF) to the more severe forms of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).A range of diagnostic methods has been developed to support patient management and disease control.
Objective:- To find out the serological test that helps in early detection of dengue cases, prevalence of primary and secondary dengue cases and also to find out the prevalent serotype.
Study Design:-This cross sectional study was conducted in Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram from July2014 to December 2014. Serum samples from 433 patients were screened for dengue NS1 Antigen, IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which helped in early detection and to differentiate primary and secondary dengue cases. PCR was done to find out the serotype
Results:- 84 (19.4%) cases were positive for dengue infection, out of which 23(11.6%of patients) were positive for NS1 antigen showing early detection.37(44% of patients) had secondary dengue virus infection and the rest 47 (56% of patients) had primary infection. Serotype 2 was prevalent in the study population.
Conclusion:- The study provide strong evidence of the value of combining dengue virus antigen and antibody for the diagnosis of the acute dengue infection. NS1 antigen detection is valuable as it allows detection of infection prior to seroconversion.
Keywords: Dengue fever, nonstructural proteins NS1; ELISA.
