Detection of Measles IgM and Malaria Parasite among Febrile Children in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Measles and malaria are highly infectious diseases worldwide and are of major public health concern. Although measles is a leading cause of death of young children in many developing countries, it is vaccine preventable. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of measles IgM as well as the prevalence of malaria parasite among febrile children attending Ahmadu Bello University Medical Center, Samaru Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 80 blood samples purposively and randomly collected were analyzed for measles virus IgM and malaria parasites using ELISA (Diagnostics Automation/Cortez Diagnostics, California) and microscopy respectively. Data concerning demography, risk factors and clinical symptoms were collected using questionnaire. The result was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and Chi-square at 95% confidence interval and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Out of the 80 samples analyzed, 64 (80.0%) were seropositive for measles virus IgM antibody. Children within 10-12 years had the highest seroprevalence of measles IgM (88.9%: 8/9) while those within 4-6 years had the lowest (76.3%: 29/38). The antibody was detected more in female children (83.8%: 31/37) compared to male children (76.7%: 33/43). For malaria parasite, 40.0% (32/80) of the children were positive for malaria, with the highest prevalence (55.0%: 5/9) obtained among children who were 10-12 years, while the least (30.8%: 4/13) was recorded among children within 1-3 years. Malaria parasite was distributed with higher frequency among female children (40.5%: 15/37) compared to male children (39.5%: 17/43). Measles and malaria co-infection was detected in 26 of the 80 (32.5%) children. Vaccination status, reddening of eyes, cough and weakness were the factors found significantly associated with measles (P ≤ 0.05) while the use of insecticide treated net and vomiting were significantly associated with malaria (P ≤ 0.05). Proper and complete vaccination of children against measles and effective use of insecticide treated mosquito net is recommended. ReseARch ARTIcle *Corresponding authors: Prof. Maryam Aminu, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Tel: +234-803-328-7031 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 2Departments of Medical Laboratory Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 3Ahmadu Bello University Medical Center, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria Check for updates