Updated: Oct 7, 2008
Dengue, a Spanish alteration of the Swahili word Ki-dinga, is the most common mosquito-borne viral illness in humans. The earliest known documentation of denguelike symptoms was recorded in the Chinese Encyclopedia of Symptoms during the Chin Dynasty (AD 265-420). The illness was called "the water poison" and was associated with flying insects near water. Today, dengue is known to be caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (approximately 11 kilobases long) with an icosahedral nucleocapsid and covered by a lipid envelope. The virus is in the family Flaviviridae (of the genus Flavivirus), and the type-specific virus is yellow fever.
The dengue virus has 4 closely related but distinct serotypes, DEN1-DEN4.1 It maintains an infection cycle that uses mosquitoes, mostly the Aedes aegypti mosquito,2 as vectors to human hosts, who also serve as sources of viral amplification. A aegypti is a small, highly domesticated, black-and-white tropical insect that prefers to feed on humans (favoring ankles and the back of the neck). See Media files 1-2. The insect typically lays its eggs in artificial containers that contain water, and, as a consequence, dengue is frequently an urban-acquired disease.
In 1779-1780, the first reported outbreak of dengue fever (DF) occurred almost simultaneously in Asia, North America, and Africa. This indicates that the virus and its vector have a worldwide distribution in the tropical regions of the world (see Media files 3-4). The clinical presentation of dengue infection involves a wide spectrum of findings, from asymptomatic or mild self-limiting infection of dengue fever to potentially fatal hemorrhage and shock (dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF], dengue shock syndrome [DSS]).
The pathologic process of dengue infection starts with an intimate relationship between the host and the vector that carries the virus. Humans become infected with the virus after an infected mosquito feeds or probes on the susceptible human host (see Media file 7). Rare reports of human-to-human transmission via needlestick injuries have also been published.3
Infection with dengue virus manifests a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. In most cases, especially in children younger than 15 years, the patient is asymptomatic or has a mild undifferentiated febrile illness. Typical dengue fever is a self-limiting, acute, febrile illness, which occurs after an incubation period of 4-7 days. In younger children, it may be accompanied by a maculopapular rash. In older patients, the disease may also be mild or it may be more incapacitating, with rapid onset of high fever, headache, retroorbital pain, diffuse body pain (both muscle and bone), weakness, vomiting, sore throat, altered taste sensation, and a centrifugal maculopapular rash, among others. This painful "breakbone" and febrile phase lasts 2-7 days and, afterward, most patients slowly improve. Dengue virus disappears from the bloodstream at approximately the same time that the fever dissipates.
Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are common findings in dengue fever and are believed to be caused by direct destructive actions of the virus on bone marrow precursor cells. The resulting active viral replication and cellular destruction in the bone marrow are believed to cause the bone pain. Approximately one third of patients with dengue fever may have mild hemorrhagic symptoms, including petechiae, gingival bleeding, and a positive tourniquet test (>20 petechiae in an area of 2.5 cm X 2.5 cm). Dengue fever is rarely fatal.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever occurs less frequently than dengue fever but has a more dramatic clinical presentation. In Asia, where it first was described, dengue hemorrhagic fever is primarily a disease of children. However, in the Americas, dengue hemorrhagic fever has an equal distribution in all ages.
The critical feature of dengue hemorrhagic fever is plasma leakage. This results from endothelial gaps in the peripheral vascular bed without necrotic or inflammatory changes in the endothelium. Dengue hemorrhagic fever typically begins with the initial manifestations of dengue fever. The acute febrile illness (temperatures ≤40°C), like that of dengue fever, lasts approximately 2-7 days. However, in persons with dengue hemorrhagic fever, the fever reappears, giving a biphasic or "saddleback" fever curve that is not observed in individuals with dengue fever. Along with this biphasic fever, patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever have progressive thrombocytopenia, increasing hematocrit (20% absolute rise from baseline) that leads to hemoconcentration, more obvious hemorrhagic manifestations (>50% of patients have a positive tourniquet test), and progressive effusions (pleural or peritoneal).
Accompanying the hemorrhagic phenomena, patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever may have circulatory failure and hepatomegaly. The major pathologic difference between dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever is that the marked vascular leakage, with resultant hemoconcentration and serous effusions, can lead to circulatory collapse (ie, dengue shock syndrome).
The progression of dengue hemorrhagic fever to dengue shock syndrome can be prevented by close observation of clinical changes and the use of isotonic intravenous fluids. As the term implies, dengue shock syndrome is essentially dengue hemorrhagic fever with progression into circulatory failure, with ensuing hypotension, narrow pulse pressure (<20 mm Hg), and, ultimately, shock and death if untreated. Death may occur 8-24 hours after onset of signs of circulatory failure. The most common clinical findings in impending shock include hypothermia, abdominal pain, vomiting, and restlessness.
The mechanism of progression from dengue fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever is not clearly understood. However, immune enhancement is the most commonly accepted current explanation. This hypothesis states that individuals who have had a prior infection (ie, primary infection) with 1 of the 4 dengue virus serotypes have circulating nonneutralizing antiviral antibodies.
When an individual is infected with another serotype (ie, secondary infection), these nonneutralizing antibodies recognize the dengue virus but do not neutralize or inhibit virus replication. Instead, the virus and antibody form an antigen-antibody complex. This complex is recognized by receptors on macrophages, which then internalize the immune complex and allow the virus to replicate unchecked (ie, immune enhancement). The affected macrophages release vasoactive mediators that increase vascular permeability, leading to vascular leakage, hypovolemia, and shock. Recent research demonstrated that this mechanism, along with individual host and viral genome variations, plays an active role in pathogenesis.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fact sheet on dengue and DHF reports approximately 100-200 suspected cases of dengue infection per year.4 Most patients are travelers to endemic regions of the American and Asian tropics (see Media file 4). During 1977-1995, a total of 2706 suspected cases were reported; 22% were confirmed by laboratory findings.
Each year, an estimated 50-100 million cases of dengue fever and several hundred thousand cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever occur. In 1995, 250,000 cases of dengue fever and 7,000 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever occurred in the Americas alone. As many as 3 billion people live in areas where dengue is endemic (see Media files 3-4 and Media file 6).
The disease is distributed worldwide in tropical areas.
Incidence is equal in males and females.
Persons of all ages can be infected and develop dengue fever. However, children younger than 15 years typically present with only a nonspecific, self-limited, febrile illness.
In Southeast Asia, dengue hemorrhagic fever is primarily an illness of children and is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in that population. Elsewhere, the disease affects all ages.
Infection with the dengue virus produces a wide spectrum of disease manifestations, from asymptomatic or mild febrile illness to fatal hemorrhagic shock.
Common clinical findings include the following:
| Bacteremia | Rickettsial Infection |
| Influenza | Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| Leptospirosis | Sepsis |
| Malaria | Yellow Fever |
| Measles | |
| Meningitis, Bacterial |
Typhoid fever
River Virus
Chikungunya
West Nile encephalitis
Roseola infantum
Scarlet fever
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Other causes of viral hemorrhagic fever
Supportive care is the only known therapy effective in dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), or dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
Obtain consultation with an infectious disease specialist and phone consultation with the CDC. Intensive care is mandatory for all patients in hemorrhagic shock.
With the exception of volume replacement (with isotonic fluids) and acetaminophen, no specific medications are available for the treatment of dengue infection.
Early research by Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD) in Singapore is carrying out research to find inhibitors of dengue viral targets proteins to reduce the viral load during active infection.10
These agents are used to reduce fever. They inhibit central synthesis and the release of prostaglandins that mediate the effect of endogenous pyrogens in the hypothalamus and, thus, promote the return of the set-point temperature to normal.
Has both analgesic and antipyretic properties similar to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Has no peripheral anti-inflammatory activity or effects on platelet function.
325-650 mg/dose PO/PR q4-6h prn; not to exceed 4 g/d
<12 years: 10-15 mg/kg/dose PO/PR q4-6h prn; not to exceed 5 doses/d and 2.6 g/d
>12 years: Administer as in adults
Rifampin can reduce analgesic effects; coadministration with barbiturates, carbamazepine, hydantoins, and isoniazid may increase hepatotoxicity
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
Hepatotoxicity possible in persons with chronic alcoholism following various dose levels; severe or recurrent pain or high or continued fever may indicate serious illness; contained in many OTC products, and combined use with these products may result in cumulative doses exceeding recommended maximum dose
Isotonic 0.9% sodium chloride solution is intravenously administered to maintain adequate BP and adequate urine output.
To increase intravascular volume and maintain adequate BP and urine output. Restores sodium ion in patients with restricted oral intake, especially hyponatremia states or low-salt syndrome.
24-h maintenance plus 5% body-weight deficit
10-20 mL/kg IV bolus q30min prn to maintain BP and urine output; discontinue 48 h after resolution of shock
24-h maintenance plus 5% body-weight deficit
10-20 mL/kg IV q30min prn to maintain BP and urine output; discontinue 48 h after resolution of shock
None reported
Fluid overload
A - Fetal risk not revealed in controlled studies in humans
Avoid fluid overload, which may produce massive effusion, congestive heart failure, and eventual respiratory failure; close monitoring of BP (q30-60min), urine output (qh), and serial hematocrits
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dengue, mosquito, Aden fever, bouquet fever, breakbone fever, dandy fever, date fever, dengue fever, DF, dengue hemorrhagic fever, DHF, dengue shock syndrome, DSS, dengue virus, exanthesis arthrosia, polka fever, scarlatina rheumatica, solar fever, DEN1, DEN2, DEN3, DEN4, yellow fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, , hepatomegaly, peritoneal effusion, pleural effusion
Hagop A Isnar, MD, FACEP, Associate Medical Director, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Auburn Memorial Hospital
Hagop A Isnar, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Deborah Sentochnik, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
Deborah Sentochnik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Medical Society of the State of New York
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Ashir Kumar, MBBS, MD, FAAP, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, EW Sparrow Hospital
Ashir Kumar, MBBS, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from broker recommendation; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from broker recommendation
Joseph Domachowske, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York-Upstate Medical University
Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Robert W Tolan Jr, MD, Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine
Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility
Disclosure: GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Speaking and teaching; MedImmune Honoraria Consulting; MedImmune Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching; sanofi pasteur Grant/research funds Unrestricted research grant; sanofi pasteur Consulting; sanofi pasteur Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Tap Honoraria Speaking and teaching
Russell W Steele, MD, Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine
Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: None None None
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