Association of clinical features and hematological parameters with serotype-specific dengue virus infection

Objective: To identify the relationship of common serotypes of dengue virus in our region with hematological changes in dengue patients. Methodology: This observational study was conducted at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad and included 100 cases of dengue fever. Dengue virus antibodies were confirmed by using dengue virus rapid test. Serotypes of virus were confirmed by immunofluorescence test. Hematocrit (HCT), total leukocyte count (TLC) and platelet count were determined. Results: The association of majority of common clinical presentation with dengue serotypes was found as non-significant except bleeding, which was found significant. The association of TLC was found significantly associated with severity of serotype.There were only two cases of serotype III and both cases were found with decreased TLC. Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with serotype. However no significant difference was found between hematocrit values and serotype of dengue virus. Conclusion: Bleeding was only clinical presentation associated significantly with dengue serotypes. The low platelets count and TLC were also significantly associated with severity of dengue serotype. Patients with serotype III had severe thrombocytopenia.