A comprehensive study of dengue fever patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Amritsar

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is the most common and widespread arboviral infection in the world today. It is an increasingly prevalent
tropical arbovirus infection with significant morbidity and mortality. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV),
i.e., DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 circulating in Indian population and can cause the full spectrum of disease from
a subclinical infection to a mild self-limiting disease, the dengue fever (DF), severe disease that may be fatal, and the dengue
hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. The present study was done to do comprehensive study of DENV infection in Amritsar.
Materials and Methods: Blood samples from clinically suspected patients of DF selected as per the WHO criteria. Samples
were screened for the presence of dengue-specific immunoglobulin M antibodies using M antibody capture-enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dengue non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen detection was done using Pan Bio (Australia)
NS1 ELISA kit, according to the duration of fever as per National Vector Borne Disease Control Program guidelines. Results: A
total of 3306 samples were tested for dengue. 89.7% (n = 2966) samples were positive for both seromarkers of dengue. Seasonal
variation of disease was seen and majority of cases tested positive for dengue were obtained in September and October. Male
predominance was seen and the affected male:female ratio of patients suffering from dengue in this study was found to be 1.8:1.
Adult age group had higher burden of disease than the pediatric age group and majority of patients suffering from dengue came
from urban background. Conclusion: This study helps in understanding the burden of infection. Early and definite diagnosis is
necessary to lower the morbidity and mortality. Continued and coordinated effort should be made to prevent dengue outbreaks.