Corticosteroid responsive prolonged thrombocytopenia in a case of dengue fever.

Thrombocytopenia and bleeding manifestations are consistent features of dengue fever. Usually thrombocytopenia resolves and platelet count normalises by day 10 of fever. Persistent thrombocytopenia is not a feature of dengue fever. Proposed mechanisms behind thrombocytopenia are many. Direct platelet destruction by dengue virus, immune-mediated platelet destruction and even megakaryocytic immune injury have been proposed as underlying mechanisms. We are reporting a case of an old man who presented in dengue season in 2012 with fever and bleeding and was diagnosed as a case of dengue fever. He developed persistent thrombocytopenia requiring treatment on the lines of immune thrombocytopenia and responded to steroids. Other causes of thrombocytopenia were ruled out.