Giriraja K. V, 1Pavitra C, 2 Bindumathi P. L3
BACKGROUND
Chikungunya is an arboviral disease. Dengue fever and chikungunya are indistinguishable clinically and need to be differentiated by laboratory investigations. The study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of chikungunya monoinfection and chikungunya and dengue dual infection in suspected patients with febrile illness. We analysed the age, sex distribution, joint involvement and the relation of joint movement with restriction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
400 patients clinically suspected with dengue and chikungunya were enrolled from a medical college hospital in Bangalore from January 2014 to December 2014. The detailed history and examination findings were reported. Serum samples were subjected to dengue and chikungunya immunoglobulin IgM, ELISA.
RESULTS
Seroprevalence of chikungunya was 12.5%, monoinfection of chikungunya was 3% and chikungunya and dengue dual infection was 9.5%. Most affected in chikungunya cases were in the age group of 46 to 60 years. All 12 patients with chikungunya monoinfection had fever and joint involvement. Knee and elbow joint were the most commonly affected joints. All chikungunya patients had restricted joint movements. Of the patients with dual infection, the majority were 31 to 45 years. All had fever and joint pain mainly affecting knee and elbow. Only 5% of the patients with dual infection had restricted joint movement.
CONCLUSION
IgM, ELISA for chikungunya should be included in the routine laboratory tests for acute febrile illness.
