Prevalence of Dengue Virus and Malaria in Patients with Febrile Complaints in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the prevalence of dengue virus and malaria parasites in febrile patients in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria.
Study Design: Cross sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, during February to August of 2013.
Methodology: Blood specimens were collected from 340 consenting subjects with febrile complaints attending four hospitals in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Serological determination of dengue virus IgM was carried out using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Malaria status was determined using microscopy technique. Structured questionnaire was administered to determine if the subject was on anti-malaria drug at the time of the research.
Results: A total of 6 subjects were sero-positive for dengue virus IgM giving a prevalence of 1.8%. Microscopy gave a prevalence of 46.5% for malaria. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of dengue virus IgM between the subjects on anti-malaria chemotherapy and those without the therapy. About 1.3% of the malaria positive cases were also sero-positive for dengue virus IgM.
Conclusion: The occurrence of dengue virus in the studied population has been evidenced and malaria is still endemic in the studied population.