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A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
Dengue in children
Lilly M Verhagen1, Ronald de Groot1
1Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness, disproportionately affects children, with severe cases often linked to secondary infections. Current management focuses on supportive care and monitoring, as effective antiviral treatments are unavailable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease with increasing global incidence and geographical spread.
- Children under 15 represent the majority of dengue cases, with infants and those experiencing secondary infections being most vulnerable to severe outcomes.
- The disease spectrum ranges from mild febrile illness to severe dengue with plasma leakage and shock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of dengue in pediatric populations.
- To cover clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, management strategies, and prevention methods for dengue in children.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on dengue in children.
- Information is drawn from existing literature on clinical presentations, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic interventions.
- Focus is placed on epidemiological trends and public health priorities, including vaccine development.
Main Results:
- Early diagnosis within five days of onset is possible through viral component detection; serologic tests are used later.
- No specific antiviral therapies exist; management is supportive, involving hematological monitoring and fluid replacement.
- Secondary heterologous dengue infections significantly increase the risk of severe disease in infants and children.
Conclusions:
- Dengue poses a significant public health challenge, particularly for children.
- Effective management relies on early detection, supportive care, and vigilant monitoring for warning signs of severe disease.
- Development of a safe and effective dengue vaccine is a critical priority for both endemic regions and travelers.
Abstract:
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease of expanding geographical range and increasing incidence. The vast majority of dengue cases are children less than 15 years of age. Dengue causes a spectrum of illness from mild fever to severe disease with plasma leakage and shock. Infants and children with secondary heterologous dengue infections are most at risk for severe dengue disease. Laboratory diagnosis of dengue can be established within five days of disease onset by direct detection of viral components in serum. After day five, serologic diagnosis provides indirect evidence of dengue. Currently, no effective antiviral agents are available to treat dengue infection. Therefore, treatment remains supportive, with emphasis on close hematological monitoring, recognition of warning signs of severe disease and fluid-replacement therapy and/or blood transfusions when required. Development of a dengue vaccine is considered a high public health priority. A safe and efficacious dengue vaccine would also be important for travelers. This review highlights the current understanding of dengue in children, including its clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnostic tests, management and prevention.
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