Seroprevalence of mono-infection and co-infection with dengue and chikungunya in children in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Dengue and Chikungunya infections are increasing in worldwide. As there is similarity between these viruses in seasonal transmission cycle and clinical presentation, it becomes difficult to distinguish them without specialized diagnostic techniques. Aim and objectives: To estimate the sero prevalence of Dengue and Chikungunya mono-infection and co-infection in Pediatric population and to analyze the outcome of all positive cases. Method: The study was conducted for a period of one year from November 2018 to October 2019. Blood samples were collected from suspected Paediatric fever cases. Serum was separated and tested for both Dengue and Chikungunya IgM antibodies by ELISA method in Microbiology department. Result: Out of 300 samples tested, 113 were IgMpositive for Dengue/Chikungunya or both. Among these, 54 were positive only for Dengue, 31 for Chikungunya only and 28 for both viruses. Mortality was higher in co-infection than in mono-infection. Conclusion: Simultaneous screening for both viruses in endemic areas would help to improve arboviral surveillance and also potentially aid in clinical management of these infections.