Clinical and Hematological correlates of dengue infection: Findings from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is endemic in tropical regions like Bangladesh, where it has led to a significant public health burden. Hematocrit and neutrophil counts are critical indicators in diagnosing and managing dengue, especially when assessing plasma leakage and immune response. Objective: To assess hematocrit and neutrophil status in clinically suspected dengue patients and correlate these findings with IgM, IgG, and NS1 antigen levels. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a general hospital in Dhaka city, Bangladesh on 168 patients clinically suspected of having dengue. Blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit, neutrophil counts, NS1 antigen, and IgM/IgG antibody levels. Hematological tests were performed using a Sysmex 1800i Hematology Analyzer. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and p-value analysis were conducted using SPSS version 25. Results: Among the 168 patients, 29.8% tested positive for dengue. Hematocrit analysis showed that 57.1% had below-normal levels, 40.5% were normal, and 2.4% had elevated levels. Neutrophil analysis revealed that 52.9% of patients with raised neutrophil counts were dengue positive (p = 0.019). Additionally, a significant association was found between low platelet counts and dengue positivity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hematocrit and neutrophil counts, along with serological markers, are valuable in diagnosing and managing dengue. This study highlights the importance of neutrophil count as a key indicator of dengue positivity, alongside hematocrit and serological markers. Early identification of these hematological abnormalities can help guide timely therapeutic interventions.