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World J Virol. Mar 25, 2026; 15(1): 117079
Published online Mar 25, 2026. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v15.i1.117079
Published online Mar 25, 2026. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v15.i1.117079
Seroprevalence and clinical profile of dengue infection among acute febrile patients at a rural tertiary care hospital
Shree V Dhotre, Mangala P Ghatole, Virendra A Kashetty, Department of Microbiology, Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Solapur 413006, Maharashtra, India
Pradnya S Dhotre, Department of Biochemistry, Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Solapur 413006, Maharashtra, India
Basavraj S Nagoba, Department of Microbiology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Latur 413531, Maharashtra, India
Author contributions: Dhotre SV conceptualized and designed the study, developed the study outline, and coordinated manuscript preparation; Dhotre SV, Ghatole MP, Dhotre PS, Kashetty VA and Nagoba BS made substantial contributions to the study design, data interpretation, and critical discussion of the manuscript; Dhotre SV, Ghatole MP, Kashetty VA and Nagoba BS drafted, critically revised, and edited the manuscript for important intellectual content and contributed to the literature review; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Institutional review board statement: National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017/2023 Edition) of the Indian Council of Medical Research; World Health Organization Operational Guidelines on Research Ethics; and the institution's standard policy on conducting observational studies using anonymized routine clinical data. Research based on anonymized data obtained through routine diagnostic procedures (excluding direct patient identification information, contact, or intervention) does not require mandatory ethics committee approval.
Informed consent statement: This study utilizes clinical and laboratory data obtained during routine outpatient/inpatient diagnostic evaluations and standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In accordance with institutional protocols, all patients (or their legal guardians) sign a universal informed consent form at the time of registration/admission.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CONSORT 2010 statement: The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CONSORT 2010 statement.
Data sharing statement: Data can be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Corresponding author: Basavraj S Nagoba, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Vishwanathpuram, Ambajogai Road, Latur 413531, Maharashtra, India. dr_bsnagoba@yahoo.com
Received: November 28, 2025
Revised: January 13, 2026
Accepted: February 4, 2026
Published online: March 25, 2026
Processing time: 106 Days and 1.1 Hours
Revised: January 13, 2026
Accepted: February 4, 2026
Published online: March 25, 2026
Processing time: 106 Days and 1.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This prospective study from a rural tertiary hospital in Maharashtra found that nearly one-third of acute febrile illnesses were due to dengue infection. Rapid NS1/IgM testing showed high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 92%, specificity 95%) and led to a clinically meaningful reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use. Incorporating such point-of-care diagnostics in rural healthcare can enable early dengue detection, improve patient management, and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.