A Study of Association of Serological Markers and Platelet count in Dengue Patients in GHMC limits, Hyderabad, Telangana

Abstract

Introduction: Acute viral infections like Dengue which can result in Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF) & DengueShock Syndrome (DSS) are potentially lethal. The measurement of released NS1 protein, IgM & IgG is a noveltechnique for identifying acute dengue infection. Platelet count is the only Non-dengue parameter that can supportthe diagnosis of DHF& DSS.1AIM: This study was done to evaluate the association of Platelet count and Dengue parameters singly positive andwhen combined positive.Materials and Methods: This was a Cross- Sectional prospective study conducted at Departments of Microbiology &Pathology at Telangana Diagnostics, Hyderabad which is a NABL accredited Central Laboratory run by Governmentof Telangana from Febraury 2022 to January 2023.All clinically suspected cases of Dengue reported in Outpatientdepartments of Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), Area Hospitals & DistrictHospital, Under GHMC limits Hyderabad were included in the study from February 2022 to January 2023Results: Out of 1100 samples received from clinically suspected cases of Dengue, 516 (46.9%) samples werepositive for Dengue, and out which 109 (21.12%) cases showed platelet count below 1.5 lakhs/cumm. Denguecases with positive NS1 and IgM were consistently associated with Thrombocytopenia in comparison with otherserological parameters. The Chi-Square test and statistical software Epi info and MS Excel was used to find out thestatistical significance.Conclusion: Detection of dengue specific serological parameters along with platelet count in diagnosis of Denguehelps in early diagnosis and prevent complications like Dengue Hemorrhagic fever & Dengue shock syndromethere by reducing mortality and morbidity.