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Globally, the number of adults hospitalized with dengue has increased markedly in recent years. It has been suggested that hepatic dysfunction is more significant in this group than among children. We describe the spectrum and evolution of disease manifestations among 644 adults with dengue who were prospectively recruited on admission to a major infectious disease hospital in southern Vietnam and compare them with a group of patients with similar illnesses not caused by dengue. Transaminase levels increased in virtually all dengue patients and correlated with other markers of disease severity. However, peak enzyme values usually occurred later than other complications. Clinically severe liver involvement was infrequent and idiosyncratic, but usually resulted in severe bleeding. Chronic co-infection with hepatitis B was associated with modestly but significantly increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, but did not otherwise impact the clinical picture.

Original publication

DOI

10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0090

Type

Journal article

Journal

Am J Trop Med Hyg

Publication Date

10/2010

Volume

83

Pages

774 - 780

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Alanine Transaminase, Aspartate Aminotransferases, Dengue, Female, Hepatitis B, Chronic, Hepatitis C, Chronic, Humans, Liver Diseases, Liver Function Tests, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Vietnam, Young Adult