[Seroprevalence of dengue infection in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco: Population based study]

Dengue is an infection of great global importance with different clinical presentations.

To establish the seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus in a district of the Paraguayan Chaco.

Cross-sectional study in 418 inhabitants of three villages in the district of Villa Hayes, Paraguay, using a probabilistic household sampling, a questionnaire and blood sampling. Antibodies were determined by the ELISA capture IgG anti dengue method and factors associated with seroprevalence were evaluated.

The overall seroprevalence for dengue virus infection was 24,2% (CI95%: 20,2%-28,6%); 34% (n: 142) of respondents reported history of dengue in the previous 10-year period. Of the 276 people (66%) who reported no history of dengue infection, 37 (13%) tested positive, which points out asymptomatic individuals. The main factors associated with infection were: males with significantly higher prevalence than women (31%); to be over 60 years of age (44%), be residents of Villa Hayes (31,1%). No association with educational level or monthly income of the participants, nor housing condition, drinking water source or type of bathroom were observed. The larval infestation rate was 0,51%.

The relatively low seroprevalence of infection by the dengue virus is consistent with the small size of the district and highlights the potential risk of infection in future epidemics.