Correlation of Serological Markers with Haematological Parameters in Diagnosis of Dengue: A Single Centre Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Pakistan

Objective: To correlate the serological markers with hematological parameters in the diagnosis of dengue fever. Background: Dengue is a viral disease spread by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. It is most common in Southeast Asia. In recent times yearly epidemics of dengue fever has put a great burden on our health care system. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified symptomatic dengue as dengue fever with or without warning signs and severe dengue. Early diagnosis of the disease and management can save countless lives in this curable infectious disease. Methodology: It is a prospective observational study from HBS General Hospital, Islamabad. 102 patients who presented with fever and tested positive for NS1 antigen and/or IgM dengue antibodies and fulfilled the inclusion criteria over a period of one year were included. The demographic data along with serological and hematological results were recorded. Conclusion: The most common serological test in dengue infection is NS- 1. Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, monocytosis and reversed neutrophil lymphocyte ratio are important hematological clues in diagnosis of dengue fever. Thrombocytopenia is most severe in NS- 1 postive group as compared to antibody positive groups.