Alteration of hematological and biochemical parameters in dengue: Implication for patient management

Background: Dengue is a major mosquito-borne viral illness and remains a significant public health problem in India. Owing to its varied clinical presentation and epidemiological patterns, accurate laboratory diagnosis and close monitoring of disease-related parameters are essential for effective patient management. This study aimed to analyse laboratory-confirmed dengue cases and evaluate the associated haematological and biochemical alterations that may assist in disease monitoring and prognosis. Materials and Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted on 244 laboratory-confirmed dengue-positive patients. Serological diagnosis was performed using NS1 antigen ELISA and dengue IgM ELISA. Haematological parameters and biochemical markers, including liver function tests (LFTs) and kidney function tests (KFTs), were assessed using automated analysers. Results: Among the dengue-positive cases, 53.45% were positive for NS1 antigen, 32.70% for IgM antibodies, and 14.75% for both NS1 antigen and IgM. Fever was observed in all patients (100%). Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100,000/µL) was present in 84.01% of cases, while leukopenia was noted in 16.39%. Reduced haemoglobin levels were observed in 25.4% of patients. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 68.85% and 49.59% of cases, respectively. Renal involvement was reflected by raised serum creatinine in 29.50% and elevated serum urea levels in 18.85% of patients. Conclusion: Significant haematological and biochemical abnormalities are frequently associated with dengue infection. These laboratory parameters may serve as useful diagnostic and prognostic indicators, enabling early identification of severe disease and facilitating timely clinical intervention to prevent progression to fatal outcomes.