BACKGROUND: The febrile syndrome is one of the most frequent diseases in travellers with transient clinical pictures, not being reported on many ocassions. In Spain no cases of dengue fever has been published so far. METHODS: A prospective clinical study was carried out in travellers from endemic zones with serologic diagnosis for dengue viruses being performed: IgM/IgG by hemagglutination inhibition and ELISA enhancement. RESULTS: Six cases of dengue are described in Spanish travellers (4 tourists and 2 workers) from the Indian subcontinent (1989-1992). Serologic diagnosis: IgM/IgG by hemagglutination inhibition and ELISA enhancement was carried out. Five cases presented with classical dengue fever picture and 1 with hemorrhagic dengue. In all cases, fever and thrombopenia were reported. The clinical picture was self-limited in 2 patients, complicated with post-dengue syndrome in 3 cases and with fatal outcome in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Dengue fever should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile syndrome in travellers coming from endemic zones. The authors present the first cases of imported dengue in Spain.
BACKGROUND: The febrile syndrome is one of the most frequent diseases in travellers with transient clinical pictures, not being reported on many ocassions. In Spain no cases of dengue fever has been published so far. METHODS: A prospective clinical study was carried out in travellers from endemic zones with serologic diagnosis for dengue viruses being performed: IgM/IgG by hemagglutination inhibition and ELISA enhancement. RESULTS: Six cases of dengue are described in Spanish travellers (4 tourists and 2 workers) from the Indian subcontinent (1989-1992). Serologic diagnosis: IgM/IgG by hemagglutination inhibition and ELISA enhancement was carried out. Five cases presented with classical dengue fever picture and 1 with hemorrhagic dengue. In all cases, fever and thrombopenia were reported. The clinical picture was self-limited in 2 patients, complicated with post-dengue syndrome in 3 cases and with fatal outcome in 1. CONCLUSIONS:Dengue fever should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile syndrome in travellers coming from endemic zones. The authors present the first cases of imported dengue in Spain.