Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos-Nigeria.
2
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
3
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos-Nigeria
4
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
5
Department of microbiology,Faculty of Natural sciences, university of jos, plateau state Nigeria
6
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
7
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
8
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, University of Jos, Jos-Nigeria
9
Plateau State Human Virology Research Centre (PLASVIREC)- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria.
10
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos
11
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Jos, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Chikunguya virus infection is among the WHO arboviral priority infections ranked as one of the emerging diseases under surveillance by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Chikunguya virus infection among febrile patients visiting rural community health care Centres in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: Sera from 70 febrile patients were screened for presence of CHIKV immunoglobin (Ig) IgM and IgG using immunochromatographic test kit purchased from Acro Biotech, Inc (USA). Patient’s demographic information and predisposing factors to CHIKV infection were assessed using standard questionnaire. Results: Out of the 70 sera screened, none (0.00%) tested positive for CHIKV IgM, while 5 (7.10%) were positive for CHIKV IgG. Although there was higher rate (16.67%) of infection among the age group 51-60 years, there was no significant association between CHIKV infection across the age group studied. This study established gender to be an important factor in CHIKV infection (χ2= 4.280; p-value=0.039) where CHIKV infection was observed to be higher in females with prevalence rate of 10.20% than the males. Conclusion: Assessment of predisposing factors to CHIKV infection revealed no association between being in close proximity with bushes, stagnant water or the use of insecticides and bed nets and CHIKV infection. Though this study reported no case of active CHIKV infection in the study population but there exposure to the virus was observed. We therefore recommend stringent implementation of vector control measure and further screening with larger study group for proper monitoring and surveillance of the virus.
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