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Interesting Facts / Historical Relevance

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Interesting Facts / Historical Relevance

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Nicknamed “breakbone fever” due to intense joint pain

First recorded outbreak in 1780s in Asia, Africa, and North America

Global incidence has increased 30-fold in the last 50 years

NASA uses satellite data to track mosquito habitats

Although not transmitted person-to-person it can rarely through blood transfusion or organ transplantation

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Worldwide prevalence:

390 million dengue infections annually.

Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions.

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Post-dengue fatigue syndrome:

Prolonged fatigue, joint, and muscle pain for weeks or months.

Immune complications:

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE):

Increases the risk of severe dengue upon reinfection with a different serotype.

Organ damage:

Severe dengue can cause liver, heart, or brain damage in some cases.

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Vaccine:

Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV)

Approved in some countries, but only for individuals with prior dengue infection (seropositive).

How it works: Stimulates immune system to recognize all four dengue serotypes without causing illness. Mimics natural infection to trigger neutralizing antibodies and long term immune memory for rapid response in the future.

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Clinical diagnosis: Based on symptoms, travel history, and exposure to mosquito bites

Laboratory tests:

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction):

Detects viral RNA during the early phase (first 5 days of symptoms).

Highly specific and sensitive.

NS1 Antigen Test:

Detects the NS1 viral protein.

Used during early infection.

IgM and IgG Antibody Tests:

Detect antibodies against the dengue virus.

IgM: Indicates recent infection (appears ~5 days after infection).

IgG: Indicates past infection (long-term immunity marker).

Complete blood count (CBC):

Shows low platelet count and increased hematocrit, which are indicators of severe dengue.

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Virulence factor: NS1 protein (non-structural protein 1)

Contribution to pathogenicity:

NS1 is secreted by infected cells into the bloodstream.

It triggers immune evasion by interfering with complement activation.

Causes vascular permeability, leading to plasma leakage and hemorrhaging, which can result in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

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Sudden high fever (104°F or 40°C)

Severe headaches

Retro-orbital pain (behind the eyes)

Severe joint and muscle pain (“breakbone fever”)

Nausea, vomiting

Skin rash (appears 2–5 days after fever begins)

Mild bleeding (nose, gums, easy bruising)

In severe cases: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) which can include Bleeding gums or nose

Blood in stool or vomit

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

Plasma leakage → shock

Organ failure

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Biological vector: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes

Human-to-mosquito-to-human cycle:

Mosquito bites infected person → virus replicates in mosquito → mosquito bites healthy person → person becomes infected

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Type: Single-stranded RNA virus

Shape: Spherical, enveloped virus

Genome: Positive-sense RNA

Replication site: Cytoplasm of host cells

Target cells: Monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells

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Genus: Flavivirus

Species: Dengue virus

There are four Serotypes but the most common is DENV-2 (most frequently linked to severe cases)