Identification of Dengue Serotypes using a Single Serum Specimen Algorithm in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
Published: October 1, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2020/44933.14082
Parvathy Vijayamohana Das, Balakrishnan Anukumar, Sobha Balakrishnan
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Government TD Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
2. Scientist ‘E’, National Institute of Virology Kerala Unit, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
3. Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Government TD Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Parvathy Vijayamohana Das,
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Government TD Medical College,
Alappuzha-688005, Kerala, India.
E-mail: parvathyvdas@gmail.com
Introduction: The geographic location of Alappuzha, a district in the South Indian state of Kerala, the distinct weather conditions and frequent natural calamities present a unique ecology that contributes to the prevalence of vector-borne diseases like dengue. Early dengue virus infection can be detected by using a combination of tests on a single serum specimen.
Aim: To identify the dengue virus serotypes among hospitalised patients in a South Indian teaching hospital in Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
Materials and Methods: Patient samples that tested positive for dengue non-structural protein-1 (NS1) antigen by ELISA were further evaluated for dengue virus RNA by real-time, multiplex reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the serotype was determined. Anonymised patient data was collected using a questionnaire as a data collection tool. The data was analysed for statistical significance.
Results: Among 422 non-duplicate patient serum samples received in the Department of Microbiology, in the year 2019, 30 were positive for dengue NS1 antigen by ELISA. Dengue viral RNA was detected in 50% of the samples (15/30). DENV-3 serotype was the most prevalent (nine) followed by DENV-1 (five) and DENV-2 (one). Common presentations of the patients were fever, headache, and myalgia. No statistically significant association was found between a PCR positive result and the presence of warning signs and thrombocytopenia.
Conclusion: DENV-3 was the most common serotype in the study population. Early dengue virus infection is associated with varied symptoms
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