HEMATOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN DENGUE VIRUS INFECTION: INSIGHTS FROM NS1 ANTIGEN-POSITIVE CASES IN KASSALA STATE, SUDAN
Alzubair M. Ahmed, Abdualmoniem O. Musa, Hasan A. Ibrahim, Yasir B. Ahmed and Nadir M. Abuzeid*
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions, including Kassala State, Sudan. This study aimed to investigate hematological changes in dengue virus (DENV) NS1 Ag-positive cases and their diagnostic implications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 273 febrile patients at Kassala state, Eastern Sudan A total of 273 febrile participants from Kassala State were included in study. All participants underwent NS1 Ag rapid testing during the acute phase of their illness to confirm early dengue virus infection. Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), total and differential white blood cell counts, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were analyzed and statistically correlated with NS1 Ag positivity. Results: Among the participants, 100 (36.63%) tested positive for NS1 Ag. The most common hematological abnormality observed was thrombocytopenia (73%), followed by lymphopenia (66%), leucopenia (53%), and low MCHC (56%), which were significantly associated with NS1 Ag positivity (p < 0.05). Other findings included low Hb (45%), low RBC (20%), neutrophilia (11%), low MCV (22%), and low MCH (57%), though these were not statistically significant. Discussion: The findings highlight the diagnostic value of thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, and lymphopenia in dengue fever, reflecting immune dysregulation and bone marrow suppression caused by the virus. Additionally, abnormalities in MCHC suggest potential disruptions in red cell indices, warranting further investigation. These results align with global observations and reinforce the role of hematological parameters in diagnosing and managing dengue fever. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of hematological profiling in early detection and management of dengue virus infection. Recognizing these patterns can guide clinical decision-making, particularly in resource-limited settings, and improve patient outcomes through timely interventions. Further research should explore the prognostic implications of these findings and their integration into predictive models for disease severity.
Keywords: Dengue, Seroprevalence, Kassala, Sudan, Fever, Hematological changes.
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