BACKGROUND: Dengue is an infection of great global importance with different clinical presentations. OBJECTIVE: To establish the seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 418 inhabitants of three villages in the district of Villa Hayes, Paraguay, using a probabilistic household sampling, a questionnaire and blood sampling. Antibodies were determined by the ELISA capture IgG anti dengue method and factors associated with seroprevalence were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for dengue virus infection was 24,2% (CI95%: 20,2%-28,6%); 34% (n: 142) of respondents reported history of dengue in the previous 10-year period. Of the 276 people (66%) who reported no history of dengue infection, 37 (13%) tested positive, which points out asymptomatic individuals. The main factors associated with infection were: males with significantly higher prevalence than women (31%); to be over 60 years of age (44%), be residents of Villa Hayes (31,1%). No association with educational level or monthly income of the participants, nor housing condition, drinking water source or type of bathroom were observed. The larval infestation rate was 0,51%. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus is consistent with the small size of the district and highlights the potential risk of infection in future epidemics.
BACKGROUND: Dengue is an infection of great global importance with different clinical presentations. OBJECTIVE: To establish the seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 418 inhabitants of three villages in the district of Villa Hayes, Paraguay, using a probabilistic household sampling, a questionnaire and blood sampling. Antibodies were determined by the ELISA capture IgG anti dengue method and factors associated with seroprevalence were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for dengue virus infection was 24,2% (CI95%: 20,2%-28,6%); 34% (n: 142) of respondents reported history of dengue in the previous 10-year period. Of the 276 people (66%) who reported no history of dengue infection, 37 (13%) tested positive, which points out asymptomatic individuals. The main factors associated with infection were: males with significantly higher prevalence than women (31%); to be over 60 years of age (44%), be residents of Villa Hayes (31,1%). No association with educational level or monthly income of the participants, nor housing condition, drinking water source or type of bathroom were observed. The larval infestation rate was 0,51%. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus is consistent with the small size of the district and highlights the potential risk of infection in future epidemics.
Authors: Grace M Power; Aisling M Vaughan; Luxi Qiao; Nuria Sanchez Clemente; Julia M Pescarini; Enny S Paixão; Ludmila Lobkowicz; Amber I Raja; André Portela Souza; Mauricio Lima Barreto; Elizabeth B Brickley Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2022-04