A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Association Between Pyrexia of Unknown Origin and Primary Dengue Infection (Serotype II) Amongst < 18 Years of Age Group

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To highlight one of the presentation of primary Dengue Viral Infection (DVI) as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) in less than 18 years of age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a Descriptive cross sectional study carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Rawalpindi Medical College and Allied Teaching Hospitals, Rawalpindi. A Simple Random Sampling procedure was adopted to collect the samples from Pediatric and Medicine Departments of RMC and Allied Teaching Hospitals, RWP. The sample size was 117 Samples based upon inclusion and exclusion criteria of study. The data was recorded on the bio data proformas and finally analyzed by SPSS version 16. The frequency of positive cases was calculated in terms of percentages. 3rd Generation ELISA was used to assess the presence of anti- Dengue IgG antibodies. RESULTS: Out of total 117 PUO patients, 41 (35%) were found positive for IgG DEN 2 antibodies. CONCLUSION: Dengue viral infection can present as PUO. The results of this study will be helpful for the clinicians to consider DVI in their list of differential diagnosis of PUO.