Frequency of dengue during an epidemic outbreak in subjects that attended the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud from February to April 2007

Abstract

In Paraguay, dengue is an infection with a relatively recent circulation because it was first detected in the period 1988-89. The disease behaviour and circulation of the three serotypes (DEN 1, 2 and 3) between 2000 and 2006 show the high risk of epidemics and the appearance of the hemorragic dengue. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against dengue virus in male and female adult subjects, from urban and rural areas of Paraguay, which attended the IICS between February and April 2007. An observational, descriptive study was carried out including 605 patients and IgG and IgM antibodies were determined by using MAC ELISA and indirect ELISA respectively. Out of the 605 studied patients, 64% (388/605) was women and the population average age was 31.9±13.5 years. Eigthy percent (482/605) came from urban areas and 13% (79/605) from rural areas. Out of the 605 subjects, 20% (121/605) were IgM positive being 55% (67/121) of them females. The IgG determination was made in 157 patients (by request), 61% (96/157) were negative and 39% (61/157) positive. According to the frequency found in this study, it is recommendable to implement an integral and sustainable plan against dengue in order to develop epidemiologic surveillance, prevention and control strategies considering the high risk of occurrence of hemorrhagic dengue outbreaks