The first serological evidence of recent dengue virus infection among HIV-infected patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Dengue fever has grown to be a significant public health issue. By testing HIV-infected patients for IgM antibodies to the dengue virus, the study sought  to determine its serological evidence in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Infected patients with HIV who were seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching  Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were the subject of this cross-sectional study. A total of 94 HIV-positive patients were enlisted, and after gaining  consent, approximately 5 ml of whole blood was taken. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to detect the presence of IgM antibodies to the  dengue fever virus (ELISA). IgM antibodies prevalence to the dengue fever virus was found to be 35.1%. Females (43.6%) had a higher prevalence. Age- wise, the group of those under 25 showed a higher prevalence (46.7%). Single people (37.9%), people with tertiary degrees (52.9%), those without jobs  (42.9%), and people who live in cities (37.8%) all had higher incidence rates. Several sociodemographic characteristics and dengue fever did not differ  significantly (p > 0.05), although sex (p = 0.04), employment (p = 0.02), and place of residence (p = 0.001) were statistically linked to the prevalence of  dengue IgM. This study found significant serological evidence of IgM antibodies to the dengue virus, indicating that HIV-infected patients in Port  Harcourt, Nigeria, were carriers of this virus. Further research on this virus is required to build on the relationship between age, marital status, education,  and most importantly, the seasonal variation of the virus in terms of infection rates.