ISSN: 2574-7797
Authors: Azuonwu O*, Adebayo TC and Emmanuella DO
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) antibody, IgM, in sera of malaria-suspected febrile subjects in Ikwerre L.G.A, Rivers State. A total of 120 febrile, malaria-suspected subjects were recruited from some Healthcare centres in the study area. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional, random, and convenient facility-based sampling research study design was explored during sample collection. The immunochromatographic assay was used to determine the sero-prevalence of CHIKV IgM among the sampled population. A well-structured questionnaire was explored to generate their demographics and possible risk factors. Results: Of the 120 subjects assayed, overall seroprevalence of CHIKV was 3 (2.5%). The females had (2.6%), age range 0-5 (8.3%), and single subjects (4.3%), the highest sero-positivity. There was no significant association between sero-positivity and demographics and risk factors analysed using Chi-square analysis (p<0.05). Cramer’s V, Phi coefficient, and Pearson’s R were used to analyze the data using a 95% confidence interval. Cramer’s V (gender, p=0.951) shows a strong association, Phi coefficient (gender, p=0.951) shows a positive relationship and Pearson’s R (gender, p=0.952) show positive relationship also. Conclusion: There is thus the need for a more robust epidemiological and entomological surveillance in Rivers State, Nigeria which has favourable environmental and climatic condition suited for Chikungunya virus outbreak. Secondly, there should be standard policy on routine differential diagnosis in all febrile cases to rule out and avoid misdiagnosis of Chikungunya virus for Malaria parasites that are also endemic in the study setting.
Keywords: Chikungunya Virus Antibody; Lateral Flow Method; Misdiagnosis; Malaria; Risk Factors; Febrile Illness
