Impact of Differential and Systematic Diagnosis of Dengue, Chikungunya and Malaria on Patient Management and Antibiotic Use in West Africa

Impact of Differential and Systematic Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria Diagnostics on Patient Management and Antibiotic Use in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast

The differential and systematic diagnosis of malaria, dengue and chikungunya in patients with fever (≥38.5°C) of undetermined etiology would allow the identification of infection by these pathogens and thus limit the inappropriate use of antibiotics (discontinuation or non-initiation) and optimize the clinical management and prognosis of patients.

The research hypotheses are as follows:

• Systematic diagnosis of malaria, dengue and chikungunya using diagnostic tests would improve the clinical management of patients with fever of undetermined etiology and reduce the misuse of antibiotics (discontinuation or non-initiation) and associated resistance.
• Improved management is associated with a reduction in the use of hospital resources, professional inactivity and an improvement in the quality of life and satisfaction of patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects aged ≥ 18 years

• Patient with fever (≥38.5°C) and at least two of the following symptoms in the last 10 days:

  • Severe headache
  • Retro-orbital pain
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Adenopathy
  • Rash
  • Abdominal pain
  • Asthenia
  • Spontaneous bleeding (purpura, epistaxis, haematemesis, etc)

• Willingness and ability to provide two 4 mL blood samples

• Willingness to provide one drop of blood per capillary sample

• Informed and signed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects aged < 18 years
• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Patient's refusal to participate in the study