Serological Indication of Zika Virus Infection in Febrile Patients at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Accra Ghana.
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Date
2018-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Zika virus infection shares overlapping signs and symptoms with endemic diseases malaria and typhoid fever. These similarities have led to a high probability of false positive diagnosis leading to the over-diagnosis and over-emphasis of these endemic diseases to the neglect of other febrile illnesses of different aetiological agents. This study sought to serologically detect Zika virus infection in febrile patients in a selected health facility, the Greater Accra regional hospital in Ghana.
Method: Archived human sera obtained from febrile patients and stored under ultra-low freezing conditions (-80oC) at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research were used. An Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used in the laboratory to detect anti-Zika virus antibodies (ZIKV IgM and IgG) in the sera.
Results: Out of 160 sera evaluated, 119 were from females with an average age of 30 years whiles the males were of an average age of 29 years. In all, 30 were found to be positive for anti-Zika virus IgM and 3 for anti-Zika virus IgG. No patient had both anti-Zika virus IgG and IgM. Nineteen (63.3%) of the positives were from female patients and 14 (36.7%) from male patients. The highest proportion of seropositives were recorded among the 21-30 year age group with 8 (26.7%) anti-Zika virus IgM and 2 (66.7%) anti-Zika virus IgG. Monthly distribution of anti-Zika virus IgM peaked in March 7 (24.2%) and May 9 (30%) and decreased in September 1 (3.3%). Anti-Zika virus IgG were detected only in January 2 (66.7%) and March 1 (33.3%). Sera from patients who reside at Lapaz and Amasaman recorded the highest seropositivity of 12.1% each. All seropositive febrile patients developed at least one symptom consistent with Zika virus infection: 33 (100%) fever, 25 (76%) muscle pain, 24 (73%) joint pain, and conjunctivitis 2(1.1%). In addition to this, 28 (85%) loss of appetite, 14 (75%) rapid respiration and chest pain 15 (42%) were reported by seropositive febrile patients. Bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an association between Zika virus seropositivity and chest pain, conjunctivitis, muscle pain and joint pain. A recent hearing loss was the complication detected.
Conclusion: Data from the study indicates exposure to Zika virus which suggests the possible circulation of the virus among febrile patients in Ghana. This study therefore underscores the importance for sero-epidemiological surveillance for timely identification of Zika virus disease to prevent outbreaks.
Description
MPhil.
Keywords
Zika Virus, Febrile Patients, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana