BACKGROUND: Dengue virus infection is an increasingly important cause of imported fever, but many cases remain unrecognised. This study reviews the clinical features of dengue fever in patients seen at a regional department of infection and tropical medicine. SUBJECTS: All patients with dengue fever presenting to the Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine in Leicester over a three year period. RESULTS: The diagnosis of dengue fever was confirmed in 15 patients. The age range of patients was 19-61 years, and 80% were immigrants returning from a visit to their country of origin. In 11 (73%) patients, infection was associated with travel to India; others had gone to South-east Asia, Barbados and Uganda. All patients presented within three weeks of their return to the United Kingdom. The clinical manifestations of infection were often non-specific. They included fever, nausea, headache, cough and diarrhoea; 5 (33%) patients had a macular rash. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 7 (47%) patients, but only one had evidence of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Dengue infection was confirmed by serology in 14 (93%) patients. In one, dengue virus type 1 was identified by polymerase chain reaction, and the virus was subsequently isolated in tissue culture. CONCLUSIONS: Dengue virus infection should be considered in all febrile travellers who have recently returned from areas where the disease is endemic and in whom tests for malaria are negative.
BACKGROUND:Dengue virus infection is an increasingly important cause of imported fever, but many cases remain unrecognised. This study reviews the clinical features of dengue fever in patients seen at a regional department of infection and tropical medicine. SUBJECTS: All patients with dengue fever presenting to the Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine in Leicester over a three year period. RESULTS: The diagnosis of dengue fever was confirmed in 15 patients. The age range of patients was 19-61 years, and 80% were immigrants returning from a visit to their country of origin. In 11 (73%) patients, infection was associated with travel to India; others had gone to South-east Asia, Barbados and Uganda. All patients presented within three weeks of their return to the United Kingdom. The clinical manifestations of infection were often non-specific. They included fever, nausea, headache, cough and diarrhoea; 5 (33%) patients had a macular rash. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 7 (47%) patients, but only one had evidence of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Dengue infection was confirmed by serology in 14 (93%) patients. In one, dengue virus type 1 was identified by polymerase chain reaction, and the virus was subsequently isolated in tissue culture. CONCLUSIONS:Dengue virus infection should be considered in all febrile travellers who have recently returned from areas where the disease is endemic and in whom tests for malaria are negative.