[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of the dengue epidemic in Recife, PE, 2002].

This paper shows data regarding dengue and hemorrhagic fever of the dengue epidemic in Recife in 2002 and the clinical, laboratorial and necropsy results from the 14 patients who died that year. The serotype Den-3 was detected in 76.3% of cases. The majority of deaths occurred among men, over 20 years old, on the 11th day of disease, attended in the private hospitals. The average values of the hematocrit and platelets were 40.7% and 56,313 p/mm3, respectively. Hepatitis, with high levels of transaminases, occurred in the majority of patients, who generally were anicteric. Of the fourteen deaths, 13 received laboratorial confirmation of the infection. In eight cases death occurred due to hemorrhagic phenomena, however, in the other 6 cases significant bleeding was not identified. Vascular collapse (shock) was present in 12 (85.7%) cases, with or without the association of major bleeding, and was the most important cause of death.