Abstract Background: Dengue viruses infection is increasingly recognized as one of the world's emerging
infectious diseases. Dengue usually presents with subclinical or mild infection to full blown dengue fever to dengue
hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Aim: To evaluate clinical features, disease severity, laboratory
findings in serologically confirmed cases of dengue fever in Muhammad Saleh Basharahil Hospital, Madina Road,
Omra Gadida, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was conducted on 83 patients with clinically suspected
dengue fever. Hematocrit, platelet counts and total leucocyte counts were done serially in all the cases until they
normalized. Liver function tests, chest X-ray, ultrasound abdomen, RFT, CT scan. The serological assay for dengue
were performed using standard kits, dengue IgG/IgM Rapid Test is a solid phase immunochromatographic assay for
the rapid, qualitative and differential detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to dengue virus in human serum or plasma.
Patients with positive result for IgM or IgG antibodies against dengue virus were considered suspected denguepositive group and the samples were confirmed by RT-PCR in a higher center. Results: Among 83 patients, 32 were
confimed dengue cases and the remaining 51 were considered as dengue negative and appropriate control. Among
the positive dengue cases, 62.5(20/32) were male and 37.5(12/32) were female. Fever was present in all cases (100%)
followed by myalgia in 93.75%. Macular, pruritic rashes was present in 28.125%. Abdominal pain was present in 25%
of cases. Hemorrhagic manifestation in the form of petichae only was seen in 15.63%. Hepatomegaly was present in
12.5% and splenomegaly was present in 9.38. There was a significant difference in the total leucocyte count and
platelets count, Significant differences were also seen in the liver function test and there was clear change in
hematocrit value between dengue positive and dengue negative patients. Conclusion: Fever, myalgia and headache
were the most common symptoms and hepatomegaly was the most common finding in the cases. Leucopenia,
thrombocytopenia and hematocrit changes were significant features of dengue fever. |
