Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
Death by dengue fever in a Brazilian child: a case report
Rafael Henrique Machado Sacramento, Deborah Nunes de Melo Braga, Franciane Fardin Sacramento
1Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, St, Prof, Costa Mendes 1608, 5th Floor, Fortaleza, CE 60430-140, Brazil. pamplona.luciano@gmail.com.
Insights
A 2-year-old indigenous child in Brazil died suddenly from severe dengue fever. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider dengue in indigenous populations, especially during peak seasons.
Area of Science:
- * Tropical Medicine
- * Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- * Public Health
Background:
- * Dengue fever is a significant global health concern with increasing prevalence in Brazil.
- * This report details the first documented death of an indigenous child due to dengue in Brazil.
Observation:
- A previously healthy 2-year-old indigenous child presented with sudden, severe, non-specific symptoms including intense crying, pain, and malaise.
- Rapid deterioration occurred, leading to convulsions, cyanosis, fever, respiratory insufficiency, and death within 40 minutes of symptom onset.
- Autopsy revealed cerebral hemorrhage and positive immunohistochemistry for dengue virus.
Findings:
- The case was diagnosed as severe dengue fever based on clinical presentation, rapid progression, and laboratory confirmation.
- Microscopic examination indicated cerebral edema and hemorrhage, consistent with severe dengue manifestations.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing severe dengue as a potential cause of sudden death in children, particularly within indigenous communities in Brazil.
- Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for dengue fever in indigenous populations during endemic periods.
Background:
Dengue is an important worldwide public health problem, and continues to spread in Brazil. This article presents the first Brazilian case report of the death of an indigenous child by dengue fever.
Case Presentation:
In August 2013, a child aged 2 years and from the Tremembé ethnic group, who was previously healthy with no complaints, suddenly presented intense crying, precordial pain, and general malaise. A few minutes after these non-specific symptoms, the patient started tonic-clonic convulsions and had cyanosis, a substantial increase in body temperature to the touch, cold sudoresis, sphincter relaxation, and unconsciousness. This situation remained for 15 minutes, progressing to respiratory insufficiency, with consequent absence of peripheral pulses. Death was confirmed approximately 40 minutes after the first symptoms. An autopsy was performed using the usual techniques. Immunohistochemistry was positive for dengue, and microscopic examination indicated micro perivascular edema and cerebral hemorrhage.
Conclusion:
Considering that the death occurred during the major endemic seasonal period for dengue fever, primary clinical evidence suggestive of viral infection presenting with sudden and quick death, and positive immunohistochemistry results, the case was closed as severe dengue fever. Clinicians must consider dengue as a diagnostic hypothesis among the indigenous population in Brazil.
