Abstract
Background: Secondary dengue infection (SDI), in the form of two sequential infections by different serotypes, will lead to severe dengue. Concomitant organ failure in particular cardiovascular (CVS) and central nervous system (CNS) carries further rise in the mortality rate.
Case report: We report a confirmed SDI in a 27-year-old man who presented with hypovolemic shock due to persistent vomiting and diarrhoea. He was stabilized after fluid resuscitation. However, he developed sudden onset of seizure and myocarditis with unstable haemodynamic thereafter. After stabilization, his gag and cough reflexes were absent with dilated pupils. Imaging of the brain showed extensive cerebral oedema with poor flow beyond the internal carotid arteries and its branches above circle of Willis. He remained comatose with subsequent complications of diabetes insipidus, secondary bacterial infection, and acute kidney injury. He passed away after 19 days of admission.
Discussion: There is a higher risk of severe dengue with SDI as it is associated with antibodydependent enhancement (ADE) mechanism. The pre-existing dengue antibodies enhance virus replication by activating memory T-cells causing surges in inflammatory cytokines. The increased capillary permeability with massive vascular leak most likely led to the extensive cerebral oedema in this patient. The concomitant cardiovascular failure also led to his irreversible outcome.
Conclusion: Severe cardiovascular and neurological manifestations can occur in SDI with resultant in the fatality. Therefore, early recognition of risk factors in the early phase of severe dengue is important to prevent the irreversible outcome.
Saw Kian Cheah, Raha Abdul Rahman, Aliza Mohamad Yusof, Shereen Suet Ping Tang, Kamal-Bashar Abu Bakar
