Seroprevalence of chikungunya in southern odisha.
BACKGROUND
The emergence of chikungunya (CHIK) infection was observed in Odisha, India in 2006. Thereafter many cases with symptoms suggestive of CHIK were reported from different districts of Southern-Odisha. This study was aimed to know the seroprevalence, clinical presentations and seasonal trends of CHIK infection in this region.


METHODS
This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital of this region. Serum samples received in the Department of Microbiology from various districts of Southern-Odisha from April 2011 to March 2012 were included in the study. The samples were tested for CHIK and dengue Immunoglobin M (IgM) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and malaria parasite by immunochromatographic test (ICT) method.


RESULTS
Out of the 678 serum samples tested, 174 were positive for CHIK, 15 for dengue and two samples were positive for both CHIK and dengue IgM antibodies. The most affected age group was 16-45 years. Females were more affected than males.


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of CHIK among the suspected cases was 25.7%. Co-infection with CHIK and dengue was found to be 1.15%. The infection had spread to new areas during this outbreak.
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
Indrani
I
Mohanty
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
Muktikesh
M
Dash
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
Susmita
S
Sahu
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
M V
MV
Narasimham
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
Pritilata
P
Panda
Department of Microbiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa, India.
Sanghamitra
S
Padhi
Chikungunya; IgM antibodies; seroprevalence