BackgroundAltered plasma concentrations of vitamin D and mannose binding lectin (MBL), components of innate immunity, have been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of viral infections. The objective of the present study was to find out whether plasma concentrations of MBL and vitamin D are different in patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).The resultsThe plasma concentrations of vitamin D and MBL were assessed in 48 DF cases, 45 DHF cases and 20 apparently healthy controls using ELISA based methods. Vitamin D concentrations were found to be higher among both DF and DHF cases as compared to healthy controls (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001). Vitamin D concentrations were not different between DF and DHF cases. When the dengue cases were classified into primary and secondary infections, secondary DHF cases had significantly higher concentrations of vitamin D as compared to secondary DF cases (P < 0.050). MBL concentrations were not significantly different between healthy controls and dengue cases. MBL concentrations were observed to be lower in DHF cases as compared to DF cases (P < 0.050). Although MBL levels were not different DF and DHF cases based on immune status, the percentage of primary DHF cases (50%) having MBL levels lower than 500 ng/ml were less compared to primary DF cases (P = 0.038).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that higher concentrations of vitamin D might be associated with secondary DHF while deficiency of MBL may be associated with primary DHF.

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Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), although predominantly associated with secondary infections, has also been reported in primary infections. An enhanced immune response including antibodies and cytokines is implicated in the pathogenesis of secondary DHF. However, the factors operating in primary DHF are poorly understood. To understand the role of the antibody response, the relative levels of different antibody isotypes during the acute phase of infection in primary and secondary dengue infections were determined. Levels of DENV-specific IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE were measured in the serum samples of 200 dengue patients and 20 dengue-naïve individuals. Samples were collected within 15 days of onset of illness. The DENV-specific IgM levels were significantly higher in DF cases compared to DHF, which was more evident in secondary infections and in post-defervescence samples. The levels of IgG, IgA and IgE were higher in DHF cases, with greater significance in primary infections. A higher level of IgG in DHF cases was evident in pre-defervescence samples, whilst the IgE level was higher in pre- and post-defervescence samples. There was a significant correlation of IgG titres with platelet counts, with higher titres associated with lower platelet counts. It is speculated that IgG, IgA and IgE produced in response to primary infections may contribute to pathogenesis, whilst IgM produced in response to secondary infections may protect against progression to severe disease.

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