Contribution of Viral Respiratory Infections to Dengue-Like Illness Presentation at a Community Clinic in Southern Malaysia

Abstract

This study explored the contribution of viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in dengue-like illness (DLI) patients and their distinguishing clinicolaboratory parameters. Two hundred DLI patients were prospectively recruited (July 1– October 1, 2019) from a community clinic in Southern Malaysia. Patients ≥ 18 years with acute fever and fulfilling the WHO criteria of probable dengue were recruited. They underwent blood testing: blood counts, rapid dengue tests (nonstructural antigen-1/IgM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and Leptospira. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) were collected for FilmArray®RP2plus testing. From the 200 NPSs, 58 respiratory viruses (RVs) were detected in 54 patients. Of the 96 dengue-confirmed cases, 86 had dengue mono-infection, and 10 were coinfected with RVs. Of the 104 nondengue, 44 were RV positive and 4 Leptospira positive. Zika and chikungunya virus were not detected. Overall, the etiological diagnosis was confirmed for 72% of patients. Clinicolaboratory parameters were compared between dengue mono-infection and VRI mono-infection. Patients with coinfections were excluded. Multiple logistic regression showed that recent household/neighborhood history of dengue (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.9, 95% CI = 1.7–20.7), leukopenia (aOR: 12.5, 95% CI = 2.6–61.4) and thrombocytopenia (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI = 1.3–23.0) predicted dengue. Inversely, rhinorrhoea (aOR: 0.1, 95% CI = 0.01–0.3) and cough (aOR: 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1–0.9) favored VRI. Thus, VRIs comprise many infections diagnosed initially as DLIs. Early clinicolaboratory parameters can guide physicians screen patients for further testing.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 05, 2022
Source ID
10.4269/ajtmh.21-0648

Entities

People

  • Amreeta Dhanoa
  • Chin Fang Ngim
  • Lian Yih Pong
  • Nor’azim Mohd Yunos
  • Robert D. Hontz
  • Sharifah Syed Hassan
  • Syed M. Tupur Husain
  • Wan Fadhilah Wan Ismail

Organizations

  • Monash University
  • Universiti Malaya

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Virology (or Medical Virology).