Dengue infection; study for evaluation of enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test for rapid diagnosis

ABSTRACT

Dengue fever [DF] has emerged as a major public health problem across the world in terms of health cost, morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to determine frequency of seropositive dengue virus infection by using enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test in patients with probable dengue infection at a tertiary care hospital of Hyderabad. This crosssectional, observative, hospital-based study. Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. 1st June 2010 to 31st December 2010. Patients presenting with acute febrile illness [i.e. documented fever of>38°C], skin rashes with or without bleeding manifestations [petechiae, epistaxis, hematemesis, menorrhagia or malena] plus cytopenias [leucopenia and/or thrombocytopenia] on peripheral smear examination, were evaluated for probable dengue virus infection. Serologic diagnosis has been carried out by using enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test with differential detection of IgM and IgG. Out of 340 cases who fulfilled WHO criteria of probable dengue fever, 152[44.70%] were enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test reactive, while 188[55.29%] EIA non-reactive. The primary dengue infection was found in 102[67.10%] patients and secondary infection in 50[32.89%]. Among both groups, males were predominantly affected. Majority of patients were hospitalized during the month of October. In addition, large number of patients aged between 13-35 years. Only two patients expired due to dengue shock syndrome and they were suffering from secondary dengue infection. Case fatality rate was 0.3% in our study. On conclusion, early detection of primary and secondary dengue virus infections via enzyme immunoassay [EIA] being important, as it is simple and rapid diagnostic tool having high sensitivity. This is especially valuable in alleviating psychological fear, disease-progression and mortality associated with dengue fever epidemics