Short Communication
Open Access
Dengue Infection in Sickle Cell Patients in French Guiana
Emilie Mosnier1,2*, Magalie Demar1, Emmanuelle Bernit3,
Dominique Rousset4, Loic
Epelboin1,2, Mathieu Nacher2,5, Philippe Abboud1, Vincent Vantilke6 and Felix Djossou1
1Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hospital of Cayenne , Cayenne, French Guiana, France
2EA3593 , Amazonian ecosystems and Tropical Pathology , University of Guyana, Cayenne , French Guiana, Cayenne, France
3Department of Internal Medicine , Hospital of the Conception, Marseille, France
4Virology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of French Guiana, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
5CIC 1424 INSERM , Infectious Diseases, Genetic and emerging in the tropics, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, France
6Service Medicine, Hospital of Saint Laurent du Maroni, Saint Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana, France
2EA3593 , Amazonian ecosystems and Tropical Pathology , University of Guyana, Cayenne , French Guiana, Cayenne, France
3Department of Internal Medicine , Hospital of the Conception, Marseille, France
4Virology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of French Guiana, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
5CIC 1424 INSERM , Infectious Diseases, Genetic and emerging in the tropics, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, France
6Service Medicine, Hospital of Saint Laurent du Maroni, Saint Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana, France
*Corresponding author: Mosnier Emilie, Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hospital of Cayenne Andree Rosemon, Rue des Flamboyants 97306
Cayenne, French Guiana, France, Tel: +594-395-040; Fax: +594-395-041; E-mail: emilie.mosnier@gmail.com
Received: December 08, 2014; Accepted: March 02, 2015; Published: April 17, 2015
Citation: Mosnier E, Demar M, Bernit E, Rousset D, Epelboin L, et al. (2015) Dengue infection in sickle cell patients in French Guiana.
J Virol Retrovirol 2(1):1-5.
Abstract
Reports on dengue morbidity in patients with sickle cell disease
(SCD) are scarce. Dengue is arthropod-borne viroses due to dengue
virus (DENV) and affects populations with a high prevalence of SCD;
therefore, the risk of morbidity may be increased.
To determine the impact of dengue infection in SCD patients, we reviewed medical records during a vast outbreak of dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV-2) in French Guiana in 2012-2013.
We identified 10 cases of laboratory-confirmed dengue infection; these were classified into A, B and C categories based on levels of severity of dengue according to World Health Organisation (WHO).
The average age of SCD patients was 18.2 years. 1, 6 and 3 cases were classified as A, B and C WHO severity criteria, respectively. All patients had an important decrease in haematocrit (while one of the WHO severity criteria is the increase of haematocrit). Only one patient had decreased platelet count. Seven cases had vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), six patients developed acute hepatitis and eight had a simultaneous bacterial infection. Six of them needed a blood transfusion.
The results suggested that the WHO severity laboratory criteria of hemoconcentration and platelet counts were not helpful in the management of SCD patients. The morbidity was mainly caused by specific complications of SCD, especially VOC, likely facilitated by vascular endothelial damages consecutive to dengue fever, severe haemolysis, hepatitis and bacterial co-infections.
Keywords: Dengue infection; Sickle cell disease; French Guiana
To determine the impact of dengue infection in SCD patients, we reviewed medical records during a vast outbreak of dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV-2) in French Guiana in 2012-2013.
We identified 10 cases of laboratory-confirmed dengue infection; these were classified into A, B and C categories based on levels of severity of dengue according to World Health Organisation (WHO).
The average age of SCD patients was 18.2 years. 1, 6 and 3 cases were classified as A, B and C WHO severity criteria, respectively. All patients had an important decrease in haematocrit (while one of the WHO severity criteria is the increase of haematocrit). Only one patient had decreased platelet count. Seven cases had vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), six patients developed acute hepatitis and eight had a simultaneous bacterial infection. Six of them needed a blood transfusion.
The results suggested that the WHO severity laboratory criteria of hemoconcentration and platelet counts were not helpful in the management of SCD patients. The morbidity was mainly caused by specific complications of SCD, especially VOC, likely facilitated by vascular endothelial damages consecutive to dengue fever, severe haemolysis, hepatitis and bacterial co-infections.
Keywords: Dengue infection; Sickle cell disease; French Guiana
Introduction
Dengue fever is an increasing global health threat with an
estimated 50-100 million new cases each year [1]. It is an endemoepidemic
disease in French Guiana in relation to the circulation
of 4 serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and
DENV-4). During the last outbreak in 2012-2013, there were 5473
serologically confirmed cases and six deaths which were mainly
caused by DENV-2 serotype (92%) [2]. In the WHO guidelines on
dengue fever, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is considered to be a risk factor for development of severe dengue fever [3]. This genetic
disease is frequent in French Guiana, with an estimated incidence
at birth of 1/227 [4]. There are approximately 2,000 patients
with SCD (0.8% of the total population) in French Guiana, all of
whom are managed within the French Guianese health system
[4]. Previously, few cases of dengue had been reported in patients
with SCD and all the reports have included fatalities [5-8]. Among
the few described cases, the report by Moesker et al[8]. which
included two fatal cases in young individuals, is the only one
that has suggested treatment options or case management [8].
To date, the physiopathology patterns and mechanisms between
these two diseases have not been described.
Our study represents the first, to date, to evaluate the morbimortality of acute dengue on SCD patients.
Our study represents the first, to date, to evaluate the morbimortality of acute dengue on SCD patients.
Methods
The study was performed in hospitals in French Guiana,
which is a French overseas territory of 260,000 inhabitants,
neighbouring Brazil and Suriname in the Amazonian region.
We studied all patients with SCD that were admitted to the
French Guianese hospitals and presented a positive diagnosis of
dengue infection, from January 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013. We
categorised dengue infection cases into probable and confirmed.
Probable cases showed a definite presence of dengue-specific IgM
(IgM positive) associated with the WHO criteria of acute dengue
fever (fever and two or more clinical signs such as: headache,
eye pain, myalgia, arthralgia, leukopenia, rash, and bleeding).
The confirmed cases presented positive NS1 antigen detection,
associated or not with dengue-specific IgM.
All cases were classified into A, B, C categories according to the WHO severity criteria of dengue infection (Table 1) [3]. A medical chart review was undertaken to extract demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data. These data was used to determine the incidence, the type of medical complications and the severity of dengue infection in SCD patients.
The retrospective use of anonymous patient files on the site of patient care was authorized by the French National Commission on Informatics and Liberties. All the data collected retrospectively were anonymised in a standardised case report form and in the database.
All cases were classified into A, B, C categories according to the WHO severity criteria of dengue infection (Table 1) [3]. A medical chart review was undertaken to extract demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data. These data was used to determine the incidence, the type of medical complications and the severity of dengue infection in SCD patients.
The retrospective use of anonymous patient files on the site of patient care was authorized by the French National Commission on Informatics and Liberties. All the data collected retrospectively were anonymised in a standardised case report form and in the database.
Table 1: Total of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue.
Criteria for dengue +/- warning signs |
Criteria for severe dengue |
|
Group A (May be sent home) |
Group B (Referred for in-hospital care) |
Group C (Require emergency treatment) |
Probable dengue Live in or travel to dengue endemic area. Fever and 2 of the following criteria:
Laboratory-confirmed dengue (Important when no sign of plasma leakage) |
Warning signs
|
Severe plasma leakage Leading to:
Severe bleeding As evaluated by clinician Severe organ involvement
|
|
Group criteria Patients with any of the following features:
|
|
HCT, hematocrit; DSS, dengue shock syndrome; CNS, central nervous system
Dengue case definition and diagram displayed in this table were extracted from the WHO guidelines and were combined and summarized [3].
Results and Discussion
Epidemiology
A total of 678 hospitalised or inpatients with a diagnosis of
dengue were examined with 546 cases positive for IgM, and 241
patients with positive NS1 Ag detection (Table 2). Ten patients
(1.5%) had SCD co-morbidity (homozygote sickle cell anemia
(HbSS), heterozygote sickle cell disease (HbSC) or sickle cell
beta-thalassemia (HbSβ), including six probable cases and four
confirmed cases of acute dengue infection. The prevalence of
SCD in general population in French Guiana is about 0.8% [4].
According to these results, in our study the prevalence of SCD
among patients hospitalized due to dengue fever complications
was higher than in the general population (1.47% vs 0.8%,
respectively) A large proportion of the patients (n = 8) were
HbSS SCD. Table 3 shows the detailed results of demographical,
clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data. Most patients
were women (60%) and had a mean age of 18.2 years (range 2 to
39). Five patients (50%) were < 15 years old.
Clinical features
Fever, myalgia, arthralgia, anorexia and abdominal pain were
the most frequent clinical features reported. All patients had
tachycardia and half of them presented abdominal tenderness.
The laboratory results did not show any increase of haematocrit. On the contrary, all patients presented a low haematocrit (< 30%) with a drop < 20% from the basal level for eight patients.
There was only one case of severe thrombocytopenia. This is
The laboratory results did not show any increase of haematocrit. On the contrary, all patients presented a low haematocrit (< 30%) with a drop < 20% from the basal level for eight patients.
There was only one case of severe thrombocytopenia. This is
Table 2: Total of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue .
WHO criteria Percentage of total patient (%) |
NS1 Ag positive n = 214 (n SCD patients = 4) |
IgM positive, n = 546 (n SCD patients = 7) |
A (8.8) |
29 (0) |
31 (1) |
B (87.6) |
159 (2) |
435 (5) |
C (15.6) |
26 (2) |
80 (1) |
Laboratory and clinical feature of acute dengue = 678, of whom 82 (n SCD
patient =1) have both positive NS1 and IgM serology.
probably due to the fact that thrombocytosis is a common finding
in patients with SCD, even in steady states or in the absence of
any infection. Thrombocytosis in SCD patients was attributed to
the background haemolytic anaemia and autosplenectomy [9].
Thrombocytosis is also higher in SCD patients with infections
associated with platelets activation. Because of this, endothelial
damage leads to an increased risk of vascular occlusion [10,11].
A large proportion of our cases presented severe haemolysis
leading to blood transfusion support. SCD is usually associated
with chronic haemolysis, which can increase with infection [11].
However, dengue is generally not known to induce haematocrit disease, but it has been demonstrated to aggravate anemia while
in patients with malaria attacks, compared to malaria alone [12].
There were also frequent complications of dengue such as VOC, severe haemolysis and bacterial co-infection. The latter included pneumonia, pyelonephritis and cholangitis and in 4 cases antibiotic therapy without documented infection (Table 3). It is well-known that patients with SCD present a higher susceptibility to infections, which is partly due to the autosplenectomy resulting from recurrent vaso-occlusive splenic infarcts. Several other factors that predispose SCD patients to infections have also
There were also frequent complications of dengue such as VOC, severe haemolysis and bacterial co-infection. The latter included pneumonia, pyelonephritis and cholangitis and in 4 cases antibiotic therapy without documented infection (Table 3). It is well-known that patients with SCD present a higher susceptibility to infections, which is partly due to the autosplenectomy resulting from recurrent vaso-occlusive splenic infarcts. Several other factors that predispose SCD patients to infections have also
Table 3: Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data of the 10 SCD patients according to the 2009 WHO dengue case classification.
|
General characteristics of patients |
WHO 2009 criteria
|
||
(n = 10) |
A (n = 1) |
B (n = 6) |
C (n = 3) |
|
Demographic details |
||||
Median age, years,* (range) |
18.02 (2,39) |
36 |
15.3 (2,39) |
18 (13,22) |
Male gender, n (%) |
4 (40) |
0 |
1 (10) |
3 (100) |
Comorbidity (other than SCD), n |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
epilepsy |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
hypertension |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
SCD type |
||||
HbSC, n |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
HbSS, n |
8 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
HbSβthal, n |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Laboratory diagnosis |
||||
Serology (IgM positive), n |
7 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
NS1 positive, n |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Dengue virus serotype, n |
1 |
|
|
|
DENV-2 |
1 |
|
|
|
Dengue probable, n |
6 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
Dengue confirmed, n |
4 |
|
2 |
2 |
duration of symptom before admission, days* |
5 |
4 |
4,3 |
6,6 |
duration of hospitalisation, days* |
6.6 |
3 |
5. 6 |
9.6 |
Clinical feature |
||||
fever > 38° at admission, n |
9 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
Headache, n |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Impaired consciousness, n |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Lethargy, restlessness, n |
4 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
Eye pain, n |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Myalgia, n |
10 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
Arthralgia, n |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
Rash, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Anorexia, n |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
Nausea/vomiting, n |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
Abdominal pain, n |
5 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
Diarrhea, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Cough, n |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Bleeding, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Clinical signs |
||||
Blood pressure < 90 mm Hg, n |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
Pulse>100/min, n |
10 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
Abdominal tenderness, n |
5 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
Pleural effusion or ascites, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hepatomegaly > 2 cm, n |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Splenomegaly, n |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Laboratory results |
||||
Leucopenia < 4×109/l, n |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Hematocrit (normal 42-51), n |
|
|
|
|
Hematocrit > 50%, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hematocrit < 30%, n |
10 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
Lost > 20% of hematocrit from basal, n |
8 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
Platelet count < 50×109/l, n |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Anormal increase of serum creatinine > 100 mol/l, n |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Increase of aspartate transaminase > 40 UI/l, n |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
Increase of alanine transaminase > 40 UI/l, n |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
Raised prothrombin time, n |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Median level of CRP mg/l at admission* |
20 (0,24) |
35 |
21 (0,54) |
14 (0,26) |
Management and outcome |
||||
Intraveinous fluid, n |
10 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
Platelet transfusion, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Blood transfusion, n |
7 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
Vaso-oclusion crisis, n |
7 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
Acute chest syndrom, n |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Liver failure, n |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Renal failure, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Bacterial infection associated, n |
8 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
Pneumonia, n |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Pyelonephritis, n |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Cholangitis and pancreatitis, n |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Antibiotherapy without documented infection, n |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
Morphine analgesia, n |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
Intensive care unit admission, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Death, n |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
been reported, such as abnormalities of opsonisation, antibody
productions, activation of the complement system alternative
pathway, leukocyte functions and cell immunity [13,14]. The
physiopathological interaction(s) between dengue virus,
endothelial cell and immune cells in SCD patients remain unclear.
However, dengue infection impacts immune response, capillary
permeability and viremia due to the ability of the virus to infect
endothelium cell [15]. By damaging the endothelium the dengue
virus may increase the abnormal adhesion of erythrocyte in
SCD and promote vaso-occlusive complications [16]. This could be one of the explanations of the importance of vaso-occlusive
syndromes in our cases.
Another important aspect is the impact of dengue infection on the liver function. Six patients had hepatitis, two of them also had decreased prothrombin time. It has been well established that patients with dengue fever have some degree of hepatic abnormalities involving a dengue virus-induced liver apoptosis [17,18]. Considering that SCD patients have a high risk of hepatic dysfunction mediated by possible secondary hemochromatosis, vaso-occlusive hepatic crises and consumption of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, they may be particularly at risk of hepatic dysfunction during acute dengue infection.
Another important aspect is the impact of dengue infection on the liver function. Six patients had hepatitis, two of them also had decreased prothrombin time. It has been well established that patients with dengue fever have some degree of hepatic abnormalities involving a dengue virus-induced liver apoptosis [17,18]. Considering that SCD patients have a high risk of hepatic dysfunction mediated by possible secondary hemochromatosis, vaso-occlusive hepatic crises and consumption of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, they may be particularly at risk of hepatic dysfunction during acute dengue infection.
Treatment and outcome
The average duration of symptoms before admission and
during hospitalisation was 5 and 6.6 days, respectively, and
increased with the severity of dengue infection. Fortunately, there
was no report of any death and no admission to the intensive care
unit. However patients had a relatively prolonged hospitalisation.
These results are rather reassuring compared with previous
reports of systematic fatal cases [5,6,8]. Nevertheless, all patients
required intravenous fluid rehydration and for most of them (n
= 7) a blood transfusion was necessary. Dengue infection was
complicated with VOC and bacterial co-infection in the majority
of cases.
WHO criteria which are considered as a measure of disease severity were not helpful in the medical management of the SCD. For example, the patient classified as category A had severe haemolysis requiring a blood transfusion and intensive treatment and monitoring.
More generally, all our cases showed a drop of haematocrit, 80% of whom had severe haemolysis leading to blood transfusion. This suggests that it is the decrease rather than the increase in haematocrit that should be used as a marker of severity in patients with SCD. Similarly, platelet counts may be not a good severity marker in dengue infection of SCD patients.
In conclusion, SCD patients with acute dengue infection present an exacerbation of their disease with an increase of VOC and severe haemolysis. Our data suggest that there is an increased risk for hospitalisation as well as specific complications, such as haemolysis in dengue infected SCD patients. These results suggest that clinical signs and laboratory results need to be carefully monitored to identify and manage the risk of severe haemolysis, vaso- occlusive crisis, hepatitis and bacterial co-infections as soon as possible.
WHO criteria which are considered as a measure of disease severity were not helpful in the medical management of the SCD. For example, the patient classified as category A had severe haemolysis requiring a blood transfusion and intensive treatment and monitoring.
More generally, all our cases showed a drop of haematocrit, 80% of whom had severe haemolysis leading to blood transfusion. This suggests that it is the decrease rather than the increase in haematocrit that should be used as a marker of severity in patients with SCD. Similarly, platelet counts may be not a good severity marker in dengue infection of SCD patients.
In conclusion, SCD patients with acute dengue infection present an exacerbation of their disease with an increase of VOC and severe haemolysis. Our data suggest that there is an increased risk for hospitalisation as well as specific complications, such as haemolysis in dengue infected SCD patients. These results suggest that clinical signs and laboratory results need to be carefully monitored to identify and manage the risk of severe haemolysis, vaso- occlusive crisis, hepatitis and bacterial co-infections as soon as possible.
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