Dengue: A rare differential of acute hepatic failure

Abstract

Dengue is viral illness which manifests as high grade fever, myalgia, hemorrhagic manifestation and shock. Recently, dengue has been reported with rare presentations like encephalopathy, liver failure, and renal failure. We are presenting a case of acute fulminant liver failure due to dengue in which a 19-year-old previously healthy female who presented to us in the emergency department with complaints of high grade fever for past 3 days without chills and rigors, and altered sensorium past 1 day. The patient had icterus. On laboratory evaluation, her liver function tests were deranged while neuroimaging was normal. In view of presence of coagulopathy and altered sensorium, a diagnosis of dengue related acute hepatic failure was made. The patient was provided supportive and symptomatic management to which she responded and was discharged a few days later and is on regular follow-up.