Patients for analysis of LTE4 levels in early illness
120 adult patients with acute dengue infection were recruited from the
National Institute of Infectious Diseases during the years 2018-2019,
following informed written consent. The duration of illness at the time
of recruitment and obtaining blood and urine samples was ≤ 4 days of
illness in 120 patients and between 5 to 6 days in 54 patients. The
first day of illness was considered as the first day they developed
fever. Any individual who had chronic liver disease, chronic renal
disease and pregnant women were excluded from the study.
The patients were assessed several times a day for changes in blood
pressure, urine output, presence of bleeding manifestations and possible
leakage. Ultrasound scans were performed to determine the presence of
fluid leakage in pleural and peritoneal cavities. All the clinical
parameters (e.g. blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, pulse pressure
and fluid leakage) and investigation results such as FBC, liver function
tests, serum electrolytes were recorded throughout the course of
illness. The severity of dengue infection was classified according to
the 2011 WHO dengue diagnostic criteria(18). Accordingly, patients with
a rise in haematocrit above ≥ 20% of the baseline haematocrit or with
clinical or ultrasound scan evidence of plasma leakage were classified
as having DHF. Based on this classification, in those recruited in ≤4
days of illness (n=120), 72 patients had DF and 48 DHF and those
recruited between day 5 to 6 (n=54), 27 had DF and 27 had DHF. Nineteen
healthy individuals who did not having any atopic illnesses (allergic
rhinitis, asthma, food allergies or eczema), and who were not on
antihistamines or steroids were recruited as healthy controls.