Sensorineural hearing loss in hemorrhagic dengue?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue infection characterized by vascular leak syndrome.
• While dengue can manifest with various symptoms, hearing loss is not a commonly recognized manifestation.
• The relationship between viral infections and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is an area of ongoing investigation, with some viruses previously linked to SSHL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) that was complicated by the development of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).
• To investigate the potential association between dengue virus infection and SSHL, given the lack of established links.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a 60-year-old male patient diagnosed with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is presented.
• The patient developed bilateral secretory otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss after the fifth day of symptom onset.
• The hearing loss persisted for over seven months, necessitating referral for hearing aid fitting.

Main Results:

• The patient with DHF developed sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) during hospitalization.
• No other causes for the sudden hearing loss were identified in this patient.
• The hearing impairment remained significant even after seven months post-onset.

Conclusions:

• This report describes the first documented case of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) co-occurring with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).
• The viral theory and vascular theory are discussed as potential mechanisms for SSHL in the context of dengue infection.
• Further research is crucial to establish a definitive correlation between dengue virus and sensorineural hearing loss.