Hemoglobinopathy Masquerades as Leukemoid Reaction in a Dengue Patient—A Case Report

A BSTRACT Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Hemoglobinopathy like sickle cell disease (SCD) is very common in some states of India. Existing literature has shown that dengue can be severe or fatal in patients with SCD. In fact, SCD can flare up dengue or else can be a potential risk factor. Hereby we present a case of a 53-year-old female who was suffering from dengue and was incidentally detected with SCD. Dengue is known to cause leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. However, in this case, presence of leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and persistent anemia made the physician to suspect acute leukemia. Peripheral blood smear examination and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed SCD and the patient received appropriate treatment. The patient had several comorbidities which were explained by SCD. With the above findings we can say that dengue has unmasked the underlying SCD which was occult till date. Clinical correlation is very helpful in the management of such complicated cases.