Seroprevalence study of arboviruses in Bangphae district, Ratchaburi province, Thailand

Abstract

In recent decades, arboviruses have become a global threat because of their increasing incidence and rapidly expanding geographical range. Although most arboviral diseases are mild, severe infections may lead to death. To better understand the disease's actual burden and the nature of spreading with information about past exposure, it is essential to perform a seroprevalence study. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of previous exposure to three major arboviruses: Dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV), in the population of Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province, Thailand. This retrospective cross-sectional study used stored serum samples from a previous dengue virus seroprevalence study in Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province, Thailand, conducted from 2012 to 2015, to determine the seroprevalence and transmission dynamics of DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV. Four hundred samples, equally distributed by sex and into five age groups from seven subdistricts, were randomly selected for this seroprevalence study. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18.0) and Microsoft Excel. The highest seroprevalence was for DENV, followed by ZIKV and CHIKV, at 84.3%, 58.0%, and 22.5%, respectively. The intersection of all three viruses was 16%. This was the first report about the co-circulation of three major arboviruses in the Bang Phae district. From this study, researchers and physicians will get a clear picture and understanding of the co-circulation of these three major arboviruses. The DPP ZCD IgM/IgG CHEMBIO diagnostic system could also be improved according to this study's results. Further study may be required in other endemic areas to understand the actual scenario and disease burdens of arboviruses and their spreading nature to control the disease.