Utility of Platelet Parameters in Serologically Proven Dengue Cases with Thrombocytopenia

Worldwide, there is a rise in the incidence of dengue infection associated with multiple serotypes. Epidemiological studies have reported a higher incidence of severe dengue in secondary dengue infections. A rapid fall in platelet count associated with an increase in hematocrit above the baseline is one of the warning signs of plasma leakage. This study was undertaken to determine the utility of platelet indices such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit in dengue fever cases with thrombocytopenia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out between April and September 2014, among dengue patients with thrombocytopenia using platelet histograms. The study population included all the laboratory confirmed cases of dengue infection with thrombocytopenia admitted at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka during the study period. The blood samples collected from serologically confirmed dengue patients with thrombocytopenia were analyzed using automated analyzer within 2 h of venipuncture. The platelet histograms (MPV, PDW, Plateletcrit) generated by the Beckman Coulter counter LH755™ and LH780™ series were assessed in dengue fever cases with thrombocytopenia. The mean platelet volume (MPV) was observed to be 9.01 fL (SD = 0.09). The mean platelet distribution width and median plateletcrit were 17.2% (SD = 0.98) and 0.47 (IQR 0.2-0.8) respectively. None of the study participants presented with bleeding manifestations. The present study revealed no significant changes of platelet parameters in dengue cases with thrombocytopenia.