Seroprevalence and hematological profile of dengue among healthy inhabitants of Mayo Kebbi province: South of Tchad.

INTRODUCTION

Dengue is one of the most serious and rapidly spreading major mosquito borne diseases in the world. Despite many acute febrile illnesses in Tchad, the burden of illness due to dengue in the country is largely unknown. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of dengue viral (DENV) infection and its association with hematological parameters.

METHOD

A cross sectional study was carried out in Bongor Provincial Hospital. Blood samples were collected from each participant and were used to determine the hematological profile and to diagnose the presence of DENV infection. A total of 130 participants were enrolled in the study. Among these, 114 (87.7%) were diagnosed positive for DENV infection.

RESULTS

The majority of the positive cases were of the age group 21 to 40 years old. Leukocytosis was the most common hematological parameter affecting 120 (92.3%) of them followed by anemia and thrombocytopenia affecting 69 (53.1%) and 16 (12.3%) of them, respectively, and then lymphocytosis affecting 5 (3.8%) of them. No case of leukopenia was recorded.

DISCUSSION

The seroprevalence rate among participants suggests that the dengue virus is in circulation in Mayo Kebbi province: south of Tchad. The abnormal hematological parameters may contribute to the severity of the infection like the incidence of bleeding in the case of thrombocytopenia.