Dengue in Malaysia: An epidemiological perspective study
Abstract
Objectives: Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted infection and is an important health problem in Asia for its fatality. The objective of the study was to determine some epidemiological parameters relating to age, gender, community, and prevalence nature, serology and disease severity.
Methodology: One hundred forty nine dengue suspected sera samples were obtained from suspected patients presenting with dengue symptoms. The samples collected were analyzed by serological detection of Immunoglobulin-M (IgM), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), virus culture in cell- line C36/36 and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The studies showed that out of 149 sera samples, 48 (32.2%) were detected dengue virus by cell culture and RT-PCR and 108 (72.5%) positive by serology. Of the 108 cases, 40 (26.8%) were positive to IgM, 61 (41%) were positive to both IgG and IgM, and 7(4.7%) cases were positive to IgG only. Prevalence of dengue was higher in age group 20-29 years and infection was more in male and in Malay population. Epidemic intensity was the highest in the month of June.
Conclusions: Dengue is highly endemic in Malaysia and age group 20-29 was vulnerable to infection, male infected more than female and infection was higher in Malay community. Effective preventive and control measures may be strengthened to reduce the infections.
Methodology: One hundred forty nine dengue suspected sera samples were obtained from suspected patients presenting with dengue symptoms. The samples collected were analyzed by serological detection of Immunoglobulin-M (IgM), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), virus culture in cell- line C36/36 and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The studies showed that out of 149 sera samples, 48 (32.2%) were detected dengue virus by cell culture and RT-PCR and 108 (72.5%) positive by serology. Of the 108 cases, 40 (26.8%) were positive to IgM, 61 (41%) were positive to both IgG and IgM, and 7(4.7%) cases were positive to IgG only. Prevalence of dengue was higher in age group 20-29 years and infection was more in male and in Malay population. Epidemic intensity was the highest in the month of June.
Conclusions: Dengue is highly endemic in Malaysia and age group 20-29 was vulnerable to infection, male infected more than female and infection was higher in Malay community. Effective preventive and control measures may be strengthened to reduce the infections.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
