Abstract

Rubella and measles virus are two important diseases of children under 5 years of age and immunization is the main method of prevention of these diseases. Despite intervention through immunization, outbreaks of rubella and measles virus in Kenya are still reported in children. The main objective of current study was to investigate the correlation of liver function test and IgM assay, in measles and rubella viruses' infections in children under age of five years in Nairobi County. The study involved 235 subjects and was carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi District Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. Out of the 235 study subject who were qualitatively tested for both measles and rubella using IgM assay, only 3 (1.28%) were positive for measles and 5 (2.13%) positive for rubella. Liver function tests were analyzed for all the 235 study subjects. Among the liver function parameters, total protein and albumin showed a very strong negative correlation (r = -0.932 and r = -1.000 respectively) with measles IgM concentration; this was statistically significant at p = 0.035 and p = 0.007 respectively. Positive correlation was shown between measles IgM concentration and AST (r = 0.247), ALT (r = 0.637), ALP (r = 0.935), TBILI (r = 0.719) and DBILI (r = 0.654). This positive correlation was statistically significant for AST (p = 0.032) and ALT (p = 0.021). TP, ALB, ALP, TBILI and DBILI showed a negative correlation (r = -0.316, r = -0.872, r = -0.804, r = -0.550 and r = -0.404 respectively) with rubella IgM concentration which was statistically significant for TP and ALB at p = 0.015 and p = 0.031 respectively. Positive correlation was shown between rubella IgM concentration and AST (r = 0.333) and ALT (r = 0.360). This positive correlation was statistically significant for AST (p = 0.044) and ALT (p = 0.028). The study has established that the 2 diseases still affect children below the age of 5 years in Nairobi County. The metabolic and excretion functions of the liver for the studied population were affected by these viral infections as expressed by an increase in the mean levels of transaminases (AST = 206 IU/L, ALT = 202 IU/L) and bilirubin (TBILI = 43 μmol/L and DBILI = 30 μmol/L) in blood. Similar studies should be undertaken in all the counties in Kenya to establish the status of rubella and measles in children <5 years of age. Liver function tests should be included during the baseline study of the suspected cases of rubella or measles infection.

Keywords:

Children <5 years, IgM, liver function test, measles, Nairobi, rubella,

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