Seroprevalence of human Parainfluenza virus type 3 infection among children 1-5 years in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human Parainfuenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3), the causative agent of upper and lower respiratory tract infection can cause severe lower respiratory tract infection in immunocompetent individuals as well as immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of HPIV-3 IgG antibody in children 1-5 years in Zaria. Blood samples were obtained from 379 children whose parents consented. The sera obtained were analyzed using HPIV-3 IgG SERION ELISA classic GmbH Germany to determine the HPIV-3 IgG level. Information about the children’s demographic factors and other variables were obtained from their caregivers using a designed questionnaire. Of the 379 serum samples analyzed 323 were positive giving overall seroprevalence for HPIV-3 as 85.2%. Prevalence of HPIV-3 antibodies was 43.0% in males and 42.2% in females. Seropositivity was found to increase with age, cough and parental smoking/ toxin (P< 0.05). On the other hand there is no association between the HPIV-3 infection with catarrh/running nose and sickle cell disease. Children aged 1year had the lowest prevalence of 7.4%, while those aged between 1-2 years had the highest prevalence of 26.1%. In view of the high prevalence rate of HPIV-3 infection in this study, it is suggested that further epidemiological studies should be conducted to establish the exact role of HPIV-3 in respiratory tract infections among children in Nigeria.