Trend of Dengue Virus Infection with Seasonal Variation at HIMS, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Introduction: Dengue is the most common mosquito borne arboviral infection in India, and it has become endemic in India with consistent episodes. Dengue is an acute febrile illness caused by Dengue Virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4), an arthropod of family Flaviviridae, transmitted through the bite of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Although, dengue is more prevalent in humans but also it may sometimes be seen in monkeys. The only animals to be affected when bitten by a mosquito, infected with dengue fever are monkeys other animals do not carry or spread dengue. Patient presents with hyperthermia, headache, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue and skin rashes. Neurological manifestation in sever dengue results from multiorgan dysfunction due to cerebral edema, haemorrhage due to vascular leak, cerebral hypoperfusion, and electrolyte disturbances. Aim: To study serological markers with association of platelet count and trend of DENV infection with seasonal variation. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted for a period of two years in Heritage Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, from January 2017 to December 2018. Blood samples were collected for 2140 suspected dengue patients. Out of the serologically positive cases, serological confirmation and platelet count was done for dengue infection. Data was presented as percentages. Results: Total 2140 suspected cases were admitted and out of them 199 (9.3%) were found to be seropositive for dengue infection. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) positive cases out total seropositive cases were reported to be 127 ( 63.81%) and 147 (73.86%) cases were positive for NS1 antigen either alone or along with antibody. Out of the total 199 positive cases thrombocytopenia was observed in 126 (63.31%) cases. Positive cases which were 15 years of age were reported to be 92 (46.23%). Conclusion: The study concludes that NS1 antigen and IgMIgG antibody consideration in the diagnosis of dengue infection builds the opportunity of early diagnosis so as to keep away the complications significantly.