Dengue in co-infection with Hepatitis B virus in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria: Seroprevalence, impacts and risk of increasing transmission

This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence and impact of Haematological and biochemical markers of dengue virus infection among subjects co-infected with hepatitis B virus infection in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study involved a cross-sectional study consisting of 150 subjects (120 discordant and concordant partners of hepatitis B, and 30 controls). Dengue Virus IgM and IgG were analyzed using ELISA rapid kit while HBsAg was screened using a rapid ELISA diagnostic strip. Both Dengue and HBsAg were re-screened later to reaffirm the result using Ichroma Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA). Haematological parameters were analyzed using Mindray autoanalyser while ALT/AST was analyzed using COBASS 111. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph Pad Prism. The results showed a prevalence of 44.7% dengue virus seropositivity among the study population, 43.3% in dengue/hepatitis B co-infected subjects. The dengue virus seropositive participants had significantly greater IgG (70.1%) levels compared to IgM (29.9%), more in females (68.6%) compared to males (31.4%), and predominantly in the age group 31 to 40 years. A significant higher (p<0.005) mean haemoglobin was seen in males compared to females, and there is no significant difference in both WBC and platelets. A greater mean of ALT (p=0.005), AST (p=0.018) is gotten in Dengue/HBV co-infection when compared to non- Dengue/HBV co-infected subjects. This study revealed a high seroprevalence of dengue virus infection and the possibility of hepatic complications. This calls for urgent medical attention and more studies to confirm the circulating strains of the dengue virus as well as its involvement in hepatic complications.