Clinical Profile of Dengue Infection in Patients with Hematological Diseases

Abstract

Managing hematological disorders in a tropical country presents several unique diagnostic and management problems. Apart from the disease process, we need to be aware of infections that can exacerbate or mimic serious hematological problems. We present here a series of five patients with pre-existing hematological diseases who were infected by dengue virus. These cases highlight the need to keep a strong suspicion of common endemic diseases in tropical countries before considering extensive workup for the basic hematological disease. There was no mortality and all patients recovered without any significant impact on their pre-existing hematological condition inspite of their low baseline blood counts. There was no excessive bleeding, prolonged stay in the hospital or relapse of underlying hematological disease in these patients and the only major concern was the increased anxiety among both the patient and treating physician regarding the relapse/progression of pre-existing hematological disease.

Zika and chikungunya virus infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and oncohematological patients

“…Consequently, a high index of suspicion should be kept in these populations presenting such symptoms; otherwise, the opportunity of arboviral diagnosis will be missed. 18 Thrombocytopenia, a hallmark of dengue infection, occurred in 55.5% of the infected patients and in 37.5% of the noninfected patients (P 5 .67). Conjunctivitis, more frequently seen in Zika infection, occurred in 1 of the 9 (11.1%) infected patients in comparison with 1 of the 16 (6.25%) noninfected patients (P 5 not significant).…”

Retrospective Review of Platelet Transfusion Practices during 2013 Dengue Epidemic of Delhi, India

“…There are few studies elucidating the impact of dengue virus infection in haematology and immunosuppressed patients. A study by Sharma et al [22] noted that there was no excessive bleeding, prolonged stay in the hospital or relapse of underlying haematological disease in haematology patients; and an immunocompromised state did not seem to alter the clinical impact of dengue infection in patients with pre-existing haematological disease. In a case report of dengue virus infection in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia, Chamnanchanunt et al [23] stated that there is complete recovery from dengue infection without complication albeit platelet recovery was delayed.…”

A study of clinical profile of patients with Dengue fever at a tertiary care hospital

“…11 The author did not observe any deaths in these cases. In their study recovery was 100% with excellent results.…”