Coinfection of chikungunya and dengue viruses: A serological study from North Western region of Punjab, India.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue and chikungunya (CHIK) infections appear to be increasing in all parts of India. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are common vectors for dengue virus (DENV) and CHIK virus (CHIKV). In areas where both viruses cocirculate, they can be transmitted together. There are very few studies discussing the dengue-chik coinfection from Punjab region of India. The present study was undertaken to study the clinical features of dengue-CHIK coinfection and compare with monoinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IgM antibody capture (MAC) ELISA for dengue IgM and CHIK IgM and ELISA for nonstructural protein 1 antigen was performed on serum samples obtained from suspected patients. RESULTS: Out of total 3160 samples from suspected patients for dengue infection, 2178 (68.92%) samples were positive for DENV while CHIK IgM antibodies were positive in 127 patients out of the total suspected 373 cases (34.04%). In addition to this, 283 samples were tested for both viruses, out of which 27 sera were positive (9.54%) for coinfection of dengue and CHIK. The comparison of signs and symptoms showed that the coinfected patients had fever in all cases while rash was seen in only 30% cases. Arthralgia (79%) and thrombocytopenia (77%) was seen in significant number of coinfected cases thus revealing overlapping nature of dengue-CHIK coinfection. CONCLUSION: Increase in the number of Dengue and Chikungunya infections and their cocirculation is an important public health concern which warrants the implementation of strict control measures.