Seroepidemiology of Dengue Among Children Under Five Years of Age in Rural South Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is an acute viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Approximately 50 to 100 million dengue cases occur annually across the world, with an important burden to the socio-economic lives of the population. The aim of this study was to determine sero-epidemiology of dengue IgG and IgM antibodies, and NS1 antigen and the associated factors for Dengue exposure among children below 5 years in rural South Kivu Methods: A retrospective cross-section study was done, using clinical data and samples collected from a study on Plasmodium infection and anemia in children younger than 5 years in Miti –Murhesa health zone. In the current study, 184 children were enrolled, among which 51 had fever on the day of the survey and 133 had fever within the 2 weeks before sample collection. Samples were subsequently tested for dengue antibodies and antigen, using direct ELISA IgG/IgM antibodies and NS1 antigen for dengue. Samples positive for dengue antibodies and antigen were used for dengue sero-prevalence calculation among children below 5years in Miti- Murhesa health zone. Fishers exact test was used to assess the risk factors associated with dengue sero-prevalence. Results: Out of the 184 samples tested for ELISA, 1.1%, 2.0% and 4.4% were positive for dengue IgM, IgG and NS1 antigen respectively. Overall dengue seroprevalence was 7.1%. Age, gender, use of insecticide treated bed net, malnutrition, anemia, and infection with malaria were not significantly associated with dengue seropositivity in our study. Conclusion: This study provides information on the prevalence of dengue among children below 5 years in the eastern of DR Congo and confirms circulation of arboviruses in Miti-Murhesa health zone. Strategies to combat arboviruses should be strengthened in rural South Kivu