Blood transfusion in severe dengue infection: a case series

Dengue is still a recurrent challenge to the global population, without specific antiviral therapy. Clinical management strategies are aimed to mitigate the deaths. The use of blood products in dengue is recommended mainly in cases of bleeding.

We prospectively collected data on Sri Lankan dengue cases in the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 2017, and selected ten severe cases where blood transfusions were involved in the management. The series comprises seven females and three males, with a median age of 36 years (range 12-53 years). All patients were critically ill at the time of blood transfusion, with dramatic stabilization of vital parameters after the transfusions. Only one patient had detectable bleeding, while five patients had occult blood loss as indicated by dropping hematocrit. Even though four patients had stable hematocrit, they had metabolic acidosis. Two patients had a very high increase of hepatic transaminases along with acidosis. Two patients had myocarditis with dropping hematocrit, suggestive of occult bleeding.

Clinical deterioration despite fluid management commonly occurs due to occult bleeding in dengue infection. Blood transfusion is lifesaving in such cases of blood loss, acidosis, and severe hepatic damage. The mechanism of this effect needs an explanation, such as enhanced oxygen delivery to the tissues and hemostasis to hypothesize a few possibilities.