Seroprevalence of IgM Antibodies to Dengue Fever Virus among Patients Presenting with Symptoms of Fever in Some Hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Dengue fever is a viral infection that has become a major public health concern. The research was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of dengue fever virus by screening for IgM antibodies against the virus. A cross sectional study was carried out in three selected Local government Areas (Zaria, Kafanchan, and Birnin-Gwari Local) of the three senatorial district of Kaduna state, Nigeria from October to December 2014. A total of 366 patients presenting with symptoms of fever were recruited and about 5mls of whole blood was obtained after obtaining consent. Presence of IgM antibodies to dengue fever virus was determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A prevalence of 51.9 % was obtained for IgM to Dengue fever Virus. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of the antibodies among the three LGAs studied with Kafanchan having the highest prevalence of 72.95 % (89/122). Females had a higher prevalence of 57.21 %. In terms of occupation, there was a significant difference in the prevalence obtained with farmers having the highest prevalence of 60.00 %. There was no significant difference between age and dengue fever. However, participants who were 71years and above had the highest prevalence (85.71 % 6/7) and the lowest was found among participants in age group 51-60years old (30.43 % 7/23). This study showed a high prevalence of IgM to Dengue fever virus indicating the circulation of this virus mostly among female patients with symptoms of fever in Kaduna State. Febrile patients should be tested for dengue fever virus to avoid likely misdiagnosis of dengue fever and treatment as malaria.