Sonographic Findings of NS1 Positive Dengue Fever Patients and Its Correlation with Platelet Count
Author(s): Kamal SMS, Borhanuddin M, Fatema K, Akter SR, Shams F, Ferdous J, Shima KH
Background: Dengue fever is a significant threat to human populations, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Usually, it is transmitted from human to human by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In detecting dengue infections ultrasonography is used because of its ability to detect plasma leakage signs as well as prediction of disease severity. For the better management of dengue, we require more research-based information regarding the sonographic findings of NS1-positive dengue fever patients and its correlation with platelet count.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the sonographic findings of NS1-positive dengue fever patients and their correlation with platelet count.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Radiology & Imaging department, Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from July 2019 to December 2019. In total450 NS1-positive dengue fever patients were enrolled in this study as study subjects. As per the inclusion criteria of this study, NS1antigen (for dengue) positive patients from different age groups of either gender, scheduled for USG of the Whole abdomen were included. According to the exclusion criteria of this study, patients without proper adequate diagnostic reports were excluded. All the demographic, clinical and diagnostic information of the participants was recorded and analyzed by using MS Excel and SPSS version 23.0 program as per necessity.
Results: In this study, as per the specific abnormal sonographic report, gallbladder wall thickness (49%), ascites (27%), and right pleural effusion (25%) were found in ≥25% of cases. In comparing the platelet count (x10³) between patient groups of normal and abnormal sonographic findings we found significantly (Extremely) lower platelet count in the abnormal sonographic findings group where the p<0.001. In comparing against specific abnormal sonographic findings cases, we observed that, in GB wall thickness, pericholecystic collection, fatty liver, hepatitis, ascites, right pleural effusion, left pleural effusion, bilateral pleural effusion and pericardial effusion cases, the platelet counts were extremely significantly lower than normal group patients where the p<0.001. In hepatomegaly cases, we found a significant correlation but in splenomegaly, we did not find any correlation with platelet count.
Conclusion: Gallbladder wall thickness, ascites and right pleural effusion are the most common abnormal sonographic findings of NS1-positive dengue fever patients.NS1-positive dengue fever patients have a significantly negative correlation with platelet count.