Serological Evidence of Chikungunya Infection in Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria

Introduction: Chikungunya is a re-emerging arthropod-borne viral disease that displays a large cell organ tropism, and causes a broad range of clinical symptoms in humans. The virus is listed on the WHO blueprint priority pathogens. However, Chikungunya is a neglected tropical disease in Nigeria and has never been investigated in Kaltungo. Chikungunya virus resembles malaria/typhoid fever in clinical syndrome; misdiagnosis is often common among clinicians.

Aim/Objectives: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out aimed at “serological evidence of acute chikungunya virus infection among outpatients with febrile illness attending general hospital Kaltungo, Gombe State Nigeria”.

Materials and Methods: Rapid Test Device (RTD) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to demonstrate the presence of acute infection due to CHIKV. A well-structured pre-tested questionnaire along with the consent forms was used to collect both demographic and clinical information of the study participants.

Results: Sera of 200 consented patients examined, 112(56%) females and 88(44%) males were collected. Chi-square test was used for the analysis. Of the Sera tested, 14(7.0%) and 18(9.0%) were found to be positive for CHIKV IgM antibody using RTD and ELISA, respectively. There were statistical significant associations between gender, age and CHIKV infection (P≤0.05); males had 9(4.5%) IgM while females had 5(2.5%), age group 31-40 years had the highest positivity of 3.5% IgM and was found to be more infected with the virus. IgM antibody was detected higher 16(8.0%) among samples collected from 1-7 days while only 2(1.0%) were obtained on samples collected from 7-10 days. Antimalarial/antibiotic intake and recent travelling had not shown any statistical significant association (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The techniques used in this study revealed the presence of CHIKV IgM antibody among febrile patients evidencing the existence of CHIKV in Kaltungo.

Recommendation: There is need for the inclusion of CHIKV in routine differential diagnosis of febrile patients to avoid misdiagnosis of febrile conditions.