Saudi Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (SJPM)
Volume-3 | Issue-11 | 430-434
Original Research Article
Seroprevalence of Chikungunya IgM Antibody among Febrile Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Jamnagar, Gujarat (India)
Solanki Manoj, Shingala Hitesh, Mullan Summaiya
Published : Nov. 30, 2018
Abstract
Chikungunya Fever is one of the most important arboviral infections of
medical significance. It is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever with severe
arthralgia followed by constitutional symptoms and rash lasting for 1-7 days. The
disease is almost self-limiting and rarely fatal. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a RNA
virus belonging to the family Togaviridae, Genus Alpha virus. Aim of the study is to
know the seroprevalence of Chikungunya infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital in
Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. A retrospective study was conducted at a Microbiology
Department, Shree M.P. Shah Govt. Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Serum
samples were collected from 382 suspected cases of Chikungunya fever and tested for
Chikungunya IgM antibodies by ELISA over a 1 year period from July 2017 to June
2018. Of the 382 serum samples tested, 67 (17.54%) were positive for Chikungunya
IgM antibodies. Out of these 67 positive samples, males were 30 (44.78%) and
females were 37 (55.22%). The most affected age group was 31 to 45 years 22
(32.84%), followed by 16 to 30 years 17 (25.36%). From the present study it can be
concluded that the Chikungunya cases are on rise. Hence, Chikungunya has become a
major public health problem in India. Favorable mosquitogenic condition during
monsoon period is primarily responsible for the rapid spread of Chikungunya. This
requires continuous monitoring of the viral circulation in both endemic and nonendemic areas and rapid implementation of Chikungunya control programme. For
these infections early detection and access to proper medical care will cause lower
fatality rate.