Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of dengue viral infection among patients who exhibit clinical symptoms and seek medical attention at a tertiary care centre. Material and methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of General Medicine. A total of 560 serum samples from suspected dengue cases attending OPD or admitted in the hospital were tested for the confirmation of Dengue. We have received blood samples in our microbiology laboratory, the blood samples were allowed to clot at room temperature and then we centrifuged the samples and serum samples were separated. From the serum samples we have done NS1 Ag and IgM Ab testing by ELISA. Results: Out Of 560, 100 samples were positive for dengue. Seroprevalence of Dengue was 17.86%. Out of 100 dengue patients 64(64 %) were male patients and 36 (36%) were female patients. All dengue positive patients in our study had fever of 2 to 7 days. The most common presenting symptoms of dengue were fever with body ache (44%), headache (36%), nausea (32%) and vomiting (21%). Out of 100 dengue cases fever with rash was observed in 6 cases (6%). Conclusion: The present results revealed that the study region is epidemic for dengue viral infection and there is an urgent need for the constant monitoring to control further spreading of the infection in the community, hence serological test have important role in the early diagnosis. Therefore IgM ELISA is recommended in all the suspected dengue patients so as to instigate essential treatment and assessment of morbidity and mortality rate during an outbreak.