Laboratory and clinical profile of dengue: A study from Mumbai

Abstract

Background: Dengue an endemic disease in most subtropical and tropical regions of the world is causing severe epidemics in India. An alarming rise of dengue has also been seen in Mumbai, during the recent years. Aim and Objective: The study was conducted to know the prevalence of dengue infection, based on laboratory rapid screening tests for IgM and IgG antibodies and the confirmatory IgM ELISA test and to study the seasonal variation and the clinical profile in these cases. Material and Method: A retrospective study of laboratory test results and clinical profile of suspected dengue cases was carried out in a tertiary care hospital over a period between January 2004 and November 2007. Result: Of the 3 677 samples processed by rapid test for antibodies against dengue (Denguchek), 503 (13.67%) gave positive results. Fifty-six samples (26.41%) were positive by IgM Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, of 212 rapid positive samples processed by ELISA test. Our study comprised of 315 adult and 188 pediatric cases. The common symptom of dengue was fever, icterus, myalgia, and headache. Thrombocytopenia (platelet counts <75 000/cmm) was seen in 386 (76.74%) cases. Seventy-seven cases (15.30%) positive by rapid screening tests for dengue antibodies were also positive for IgM/IgG antibodies against Leptospira by Dridot test (Rapid test). Of these, 49 (63.64%) were confirmed to be positive for dengue antibodies by the ELISA test. Conclusion: As dengue causes increased morbidity and mortality and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment for the proper management of these cases, the rapid screening test for IgM/IgG antibodies helps clinicians toward achieving this goal.