Dengue Virus Infection: A Retrospective Study and Comparative Analysis of Hematological Profiles and Organ Function Biomarkers in Seropositive Cases

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease with significant global health implications, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite extensive research, regional variations in clinical and laboratory profiles necessitate further investigation to improve diagnosis and management. Aim of the Study: This retrospective study aimed to analyze the hematological, biochemical, and serological profiles of seropositive dengue patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh, with a focus on identifying gender-specific patterns and disease severity markers. Methods: A total of 134 serologically confirmed dengue patients (93 males, 41 females) admitted to a tertiary care hospital between June and September 2024 were included. Data were extracted from medical records, including demographics, clinical symptoms, hematological parameters (complete blood count, platelet indices), liver and renal function tests, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), and serological status (NS1, IgM, IgG). Laboratory analyses were performed using standardized automated techniques. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, comparative tests (t-tests, Mann-Whitney U), and correlation analyses (Spearman’s rho) to assess relationships between key parameters. Results: The study population had a male predominance (69.4%), with a mean age of 32.5 ± 18.2 years. The most affected age group was 15–30 years (32.8%). Fever (98.5%), headache (92.5%), and vomiting (85.1%) were the most common symptoms, with rash being more prevalent in females (43.9% vs. 30.1%, *p*=0.12). Hematological findings revealed thrombocytopenia (mean platelets: 148 ± 98 ×10³/µL) and leukopenia (4.5% with WBC <2.0 ×10³/µL). Females had significantly lower hemoglobin (12.5 ± 1.9 g/dL vs. 13.5 ± 1.7 g/dL, *p*=0.003) and higher ALT levels (63.1 ± 550 U/L vs. 45.8 ± 180 U/L, *p*=0.04). Severe abnormalities included thrombocytopenia (<50,000/µL) in 9% of cases and elevated ALT >200 U/L in 3.7%. A strong correlation was observed between ALT and AST (r=0.85, *p*<0.001), indicating concurrent hepatic injury. Serologically, NS1 positivity (89%) dominated, confirming acute infection, with no significant gender differences in IgM (7.5%) or IgG (5.2%) rates. Conclusion: The study highlights gender-specific variations in dengue manifestations, with females showing greater hepatic involvement and anemia. Hematological and biochemical markers remain crucial for early risk stratification and clinical management.