Serum transaminase level changes in dengue fever and its correlation with disease severity

It was observed that liver enzymes are elevated in dengue fever. In this study our aims were to determine the changes in serum transaminases in dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and to find out the relation of transaminase level changes with the disease severity. This cross sectional, prospective hospital based observational study was carried out in the department of Gastrointestinal Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic diseases and Internal Medicine department of BIRDEM Hospital, Dhaka. Patients are classified into 3 groups depending on clinical & laboratory findings: Group 1 dengue fever (DF), Group 2 dengue hemorrhagic fever & Group 3 dengue shock syndrome. A total of 240 cases were taken in this study who fulfilled the selection criteria. Out of whom 125 male and 115 female patients. DF was 157(65.4%) & DHF was 83(34.6%). Aminotransferases [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] were significantly raised in DHF cases compared to those of classical dengue fever (AST 84.5±42.4 in DF vs. 507±106.8 IU/L in DHF and ALT 59.9±31.3 in DF vs. 234±30.6 IU/L in DHF). The rise of AST is far greater than ALT in both DF and DHF. Dengue fever is usually associated with mild to moderate elevations of aminotransferase levels. The increase in aminotransferases, mainly AST has been associated with disease severity and serves as an early indicator of dengue infection.