Diagnostic Utility of Platelet Indices in Patients with Dengue Fever

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue fever is currently spreading more rapidly than any other mosquito-borne viral illness globally. Thrombocytopenia is a common laboratory finding in dengue. Currently, novel platelet indices, especially Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), and Plateletcrit (PCT) have been evaluated as potential markers in dengue-positive patients.

Objective: To assess platelet parameters in dengue fever and investigate their correlation with platelet count.

Methodology: This prospective study included 100 confirmed dengue-positive patients from the Department of Pathology at RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore. 2ml of venous blood were collected in K3EDTA vials from patients diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and confirmed serology (NS1 antigen and/or IgM/IgG antibodies). Platelet counts and indices were analysed using the Sysmex XN-1000 auto-analyser.

Results: The study findings indicated that age and gender were not significantly associated with different platelet count groups. However, MPV, PDW, and PCT showed statistically significant correlations with platelet count categories.

Conclusion: This study highlights the diagnostic significance of platelet indices in dengue infection. A combination of low platelet count, decreased MPV and PCT, and elevated PDW can serve as useful predictive markers in the diagnosis and assessment of dengue severity.