Platelet Indices as Diagnostic Clues in Dengue Fever - A Comparative Study

Background: Dengue fever (DF), a mosquito-borne illness caused by the dengue virus, poses significant public health challenges, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In India, DF is increasingly affecting rural areas, primarily spread by Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The disease manifests in various forms, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, often leading to severe health complications. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the hematological profiles, with a focus on Platelet Indices (PIs), in dengue seropositive patients to understand their role in disease progression and management. Materials & Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at ACS Medical College and Hospital over one month, involving 100 dengue seropositive patients. Platelet indices, including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT), were obtained through complete blood counts (CBC) on days one and three of admission. Patients were categorized based on platelet count and age for statistical analysis using Chi-Square tests and paired t-test. Results: The study cohort had a mean age of 22.97 years, with a notable predominance of younger individuals. Significant deviations in platelet counts were observed across various antigen categories, with thrombocytopenia being prevalent. The analysis indicated that antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and complement system activation by NS1 and heterotypic antibodies contribute to severe dengue manifestations. Statistical tests confirmed the significant impact of antigen types on platelet counts. Conclusion: Platelet indices provide critical insights into the disease progression of dengue fever, serving as valuable predictive tools for diagnosing and determining treatment outcomes. These indices help identify ongoing platelet destruction, guiding the need for platelet transfusions. Future research should focus on validating the predictive power of PIs in larger cohorts and developing models incorporating clinical parameters for improved diagnosis and treatment strategies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of ADE and complement activation could lead to targeted therapies, enhancing public health strategies for managing dengue outbreaks.