Preliminary Seroepidemiological survey of dengue infections in Pakistan,2009-2014

摘要

Background:Dengue virus is the causative agent of dengue fever,a vector borne infection which causes selflimiting to life threatening disease in humans.A sero-epidemiological study was conducted to understand the current epidemiology of dengue virus in Pakistan which is now known as a dengue endemic country after its first reported outbreak in 1994.Methods:To investigate the prevalence of dengue virus in Pakistan during 2009-2014,a total of 9,493 blood samples were screened for the detection of anti-dengue IgM antibodies using ELISA.Clinical and demographic features available with hospital records were reviewed to ascertain mortalities related to dengue hemorrhagic shock syndrome.Results:Out of 9,493 samples tested,37%(3,504)were found positive for anti-dengue IgM antibodies.Of the seropositive cases,73.6%(2,578/3,504)were male and 26.4%(926/3,504)were female.The highest number(382/929;41.1%)of sero-positive cases was observed among the individuals of age group 31-40 years.The highest number of symptomatic cases was reported in October(46%;4,400/9,493),and the highest number of sero-positive cases among symptomatic cases was observed in November(45.7%;806/1,764).Mean annual patient incidence(MAPI)during 2009-2014 in Pakistan remained 0.30 with the highest annual patient incidence(11.03)found in Islamabad.According to the available medical case record,472 dengue related deaths were reported during 2009-2014.Conclusion:The data from earlier reports in Pakistan described the dengue virus incidence from limited areas of the country.Our findings are important considering the testing of clinical samples at a larger scale covering patients of vast geographical regions and warrants timely implementation of dengue vector surveillance and control programs.Trial registration number:It is an epidemiological research study,so trial registration is not required.