Emerging trends in dengue fever in Bangladesh: Demographic shifts, increased female prevalence and hepatic involvement

Background: Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in Bangladesh, with evolving epidemiological trends and clinical manifestations. Recent shifts in the demographic profile, including an increase in older adults and a notable rise in female cases, suggest changes in transmission dynamics and disease severity. This study aims to analyze these trends and provide insights into the changing nature of dengue fever in the country. Objective: To investigate the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and serological features of dengue patients in Bangladesh, with a focus on identifying changes in disease patterns and severity in recent outbreaks. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 440 dengue-confirmed patients across various healthcare centers in Bangladesh. Data were collected on patients' demographics, occupation, clinical presentation, laboratory results, and serological markers. Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships between NS1 antigen levels and key biomarkers. Results: The majority of patients were students (41.6%) and housewives (29.3%), with a significant shift toward older age groups, particularly those aged 46 and above (29.8%). Female patients represented 57.6% of the cohort, with a marked predominance in rural areas. Common symptoms included fever, gastrointestinal disturbances, and fatigue. Laboratory results revealed thrombocytopenia in 33.9% of cases, with elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and CRP levels indicative of multi-organ involvement. Serological testing showed a high prevalence of secondary infections, with 76.3% IgG-positive cases and 50.9% IgM-positive cases. Strong correlations were found between NS1 antigen and liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and a moderate inverse correlation with platelet count. Conclusion: Dengue fever in Bangladesh is increasingly impacting older adults and females, particularly in rural areas, with hepatic involvement rising and hemorrhagic symptoms declining. These trends call for updated diagnostic and management strategies, focusing on liver function and age-specific care. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors.