Patients for analysis of serial changes in LTE4 levels and
diurnal variations
In order to assess the kinetics of LTE4 throughout the course of
illness, we recruited 48 patients with varying severity of acute dengue
and obtained serial blood and urine samples daily in the morning (9am),
throughout the course of illness. In addition, as we earlier found that
there was a diurnal variation in platelet activating factor (PAF) in 2
cohorts of patients (9, 13), we further recruited 22 patients (14 who
had DF and 8 with DHF), to assess possible diurnal changes in LTE4
levels in the morning (9 a.m.) and the afternoon (3 p.m.). We had to
recruit a different cohort to explore the diurnal variation of LTE4 and
viral loads as the same cohort of patients did not consent to be bled
twice a day due to the frequent bleeding of these patients (four times a
day), as a part of their dengue management.