Abstract
Evidence of hepatocellular damage is common in dengue-infected individuals. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a key cytokine responsible for liver regeneration, may play a prognostic role in dengue virus infection. To determine the relationship between serum HGF level and disease severity in patients with dengue virus infection. Serum samples from 27 children [17 dengue fever (DF), ten dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)] with serologically confirmed dengue virus infection during the febrile, toxic stages and at follow-up were analysed for HGF. Serum samples obtained from nine healthy children served as the control group. In dengue-infected patients, serum HGF was significantly higher at the febrile and toxic stages than at follow-up (p<0.05). In comparison with DF, patients with DHF had a greater level of HGF at the febrile stage (p<0.05). A cut-off HGF level of 1220 pg/mL obtained during the febrile stage showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 53% for predicting clinical progression to DHF (area under the ROC curve 0.75). Serum HGF level at the early stage of dengue virus infection is elevated and may be a useful predictor for clinical progression to DHF.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
