TITLE:
The Prevalence of Dengue Virus and Malaria Co-Infection among HIV-Infected Patients within South Eastern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Onochie-Igbinedion Ifeyinwa Theresa Osarumwense, Ikegbunam Moses Nkechukwu, Ekpunobi Nzube Favour, Ibeagha Izuchukwu, Chukwuma Okechukwu George, Adikwu Micheal Umale, Esimone Charles Okechukwu
KEYWORDS:
Dengue, Malaria, Coinfection, Seroprevalence, Southeast Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.12 No.1,
March
9,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Dengue and malaria are infections of great public health concern, especially in tropical countries like Nigeria where the burden of HIV infection is high. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of dengue virus and dengue/malaria coinfection among febrile HIV-infected patients attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching university both in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples from 338 consenting HIV-infected patients were collected and tested for plasmodiasis and DENV using malaria microscopy and ELISA, respectively. Interviewer-based questionnaires were used to assess subjects’ sociodemographic variables and dengue risk factors. This study was conducted within the peak period of the dry season (January-February 2016). Results: Of the 338 screened participants, 13.02% were seropositive for DENV, whereas 55.8% were positive for Plasmodium spp. About 2.7% were positive for both dengue virus and Plasmodium spp. The overall seroprevalence of dengue virus by NS1 antigenemia, IgM and IgG antibodies was 9.5%, 5.6% and 8%. Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria and DENV indicates the need to strengthen vector control and dengue surveillance programs.