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.