First report of dengue virus among febrile malaria positive and negative patients in Nyala city, Western Sudan

Background: The mosquito borne dengue fever and malaria -; are major public health concerns in tropical settings. They are highly prevalent and considered one of the main etiology of febrile illnesses in Sudan. Aim: This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of dengue virus among febrile malaria positive and negative patients in Nyala city, Western Sudan by using Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) to detect dengue virus IgM and IgG antibodies. It also aimed to study possible risk factors that may be associated with dengue virus and malaria infections. Methods: This cross sectional study, which was undertaken in different Hospitals in Nyala city, South Darfur state Sudan during June to December 2021. A total of 93 blood samples from febrile patients were collected in EDTA containers. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation and tested by ELISA (EUROIMMUN, Germany) according to manufactures instructions for dengue virus IgG and IgM antibodies. Malaria parasites were detected using microscopy of stained blood smears. Generated data was analyzed using the statistical package (SPSS) version 21. Results: Forty six (49.5%) out of 93 febrile patients were found infected with malaria parasites using blood smear microscopy. Among these malaria infected patients, the prevalence of dengue anti-virus IgG (49 .5%) was higher than that of IgM (16.1%) but was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). In the present study dengue infection was higher in males than in females but was statistically insignificant (P> 0.05) and the Age group 21-40 years was the most affected with dengue virus infection. Conclusion: The present study showed higher prevalance rate of dengue IgG among the participants of study more than IgM but was statistically insignificant There was no association between age and gender with seroplevance of dengue virus among febrile patients with and without malaria. The frequent existence of infections of DENV requires improved surveillance and control measures to combat this disease in Nyala, Sudan.