Clinical Significance of Molecular and Blood Biomarkers in Assessing the Severity of Dengue Infection in Peshawar, Pakistan

Objective. The current study was aimed to evaluate the impact of molecular and blood biomarkers on the severity of dengue fever. Method. This study was conducted at the Center for Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from June 2022 to November 2022. A total of 2,400 individuals exhibiting prominent signs and symptoms of dengue fever were enrolled. These subjects were screened for the presence of NS1, IgG, and IgM antibodies, as well as molecular biomarkers, using PCR. Results. Out of the 2,400 suspected cases, 801 (33.37%) were confirmed for dengue fever based on NS1 antigen (33.37%), as well as IgG (3.37%) and IgM (11.25%) antibodies, with RT-PCR demonstrating 98.2% sensitivity. The DENV-3 serotype was identified as the most prevalent (61.18%). The highest infection rate was observed in men (56.05%), as compared to women (43.95%). The most affected age group was 16-30 years (46.19%). Common symptoms among the patients included fever (100%), muscle pain (100%), headache (69.78%), vomiting (49.2%), and skin rash (35.08%). The study found a significant association (p < 0.05) between hematological parameters and dengue infection, highlighting a significant decrease in total leucocyte count (TLC), eosinophils, neutrophils, and platelets, as well as a significant increase in monocytes and lymphocytes. Additionally, mild cases exhibited fewer clinical signs as compared to severely infected cases. Conclusion. Based on the current report, it was concluded that climate change, rapid urbanization, and the emergence of different serotypes may escalate dengue outbreaks in District Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan. This highlights the critical necessity for extensive insect-control operations, public education campaigns, and climate-responsive strategies to successfully prevent future dengue epidemics.