Comorbidities increase in-hospital mortality in dengue patients in Brazil

Dengue remains an unmet public health burden. We determined risk factors for dengue in-hospital mortality in Brazil. Of 326,380 hospitalised dengue cases in 9-45-year-old individuals, there were 971 deaths. Risk of dying was 11-times higher in the presence of underlying common comorbidities (renal, infectious, pulmonary disease and diabetes), similar to the risk of dying from severe dengue and much higher with the combination. Ensuring access to integrated dengue preventative measures in individuals aged ≥ 9 years including those with comorbidities may help achieve the WHO objective of 50% reduction in mortality and 25% reduction in morbidity due to dengue by 2020.

Neurological complications and death in children with dengue virus infection: report of two cases

Background Dengue virus infection can have different complications; the best known is hemorrhagic dengue fever. However, other effects such as neurological disorders may endanger the lives of patients. Dengue neurological manifestations can be confused with encephalitis symptoms and can lead to cerebral edema and death. Therefore, we consider important in the endemic areas to take into account the diagnosis of dengue encephalitis in patients with neurological disorders, and to request the determination of serology in cerebrospinal fluid for the NS1 antigen test. Case presentation We present the cases of two patients from the state of Morelos, Mexico, with 17 and 14 years of age. Both cases presented a rapid evolution characterized by fever, seizures and neurological deterioration secondary to severe cerebral edema that evolved to cerebral death in both cases. The diagnosis of brain death was confirmed by electroencephalogram in both patients. The two patients were submitted to serology for NS1 that tested positive in both cases. They died between the second and fifth day after admission. Conclusions Retrospective studies have found that up to 4% of the patients have dengue virus infections, which leads us to believe that in endemic areas, this infection should be suspected in cases of encephalic and febrile symptoms. RT-PCR should be performed to identify cases of encephalitis caused by the dengue virus, and early interventions should be performed to attempt to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these cases.(AU)

Dengue's mortality in department of Meta, Colombia 2010 -2014 / Mortalidad por dengue en el departamento del Meta, Colombia 2010 -2014 / Mortalidade por dengue na departamento do Meta, Colômbia 2010-2014

Introduction.\r\n Dengue is a priority in the health system in Colombia. In department of Meta, it is endemic and generates mortality, \r\neven though the Department has good coverage and access to health services. \r\nObjectives.\r\n To describe mortality by dengue, \r\nsocio-demographic characteristics and possible determinants associated to mortality in department of Meta. \r\nMaterials and \r\nMethods.\r\n A retrospective descriptive revision study was performed of clinical files and notification cards in the Sivigila medical \r\nvigilance system. \r\nInclusion criteria.\r\n Notification card, availability of complete clinic history and laboratory results, confirmation \r\nof death by dengue. \r\nExclusion criteria.\r\n Non-confirmed cases by pathology or laboratory. \r\nResults. \r\n35 cases of death by dengue \r\nwere studied between 2010 and 2014; average age 27.3 years old; 51.43% younger than 10 years old; 51.4% male. The time between the beginning of the appearance of symptoms and consultation with the health system was 4 days. The main symptoms asso\r\n-\r\nciated with mortality were fever, myalgia, arthralgia, abdominal pain and vomiting. \r\nConclusions.\r\n People younger than 10 years \r\nold, with scarce resources and from the subsidized system have a greater risk of mortality. Abdominal pain and vomit are impor\r\n-\r\ntant predictors of shock, it was also evidenced that the use of Aines (Spanish acronym for non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) \r\naugments the risk, tests of liver function presented the greatest alterations, and hemoconcentration is not used to evaluate the \r\nrisk of severe dengue. It is necessary to better the education and information given to the community to enhance the chance in \r\nconsultation. It is also important to continue to improve medical education to guarantee the adherence to dengue management \r\nmethods, especially to teach patients to recognize the warning signs of dengue.

Este es un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de revisión de \r\nhistorias clínicas y fichas de notificación en el sistema de \r\nvigilancia epidemiológica (Sivigila). Su objetivo es describir \r\nla mortalidad por dengue, características sociodemográficas \r\ny los posibles determinantes asociados a la mortalidad en \r\nel departamento del Meta, Colombia. Se analizaron la ficha \r\nde notificación, la disponibilidad de la historia clínica y de \r\nlaboratorio con resultados completos y la confirmación de \r\nla muerte por el dengue. Se excluyeron los casos no confir\r\n-\r\nmados por patología o laboratorio. Se estudiaron 35 casos de \r\nmuerte por dengue entre enero de 2010 y mayo de 2014; la \r\nedad promedio fue de 27,3 años de edad; 51,43% menores de \r\n10 años de edad; 51,4% hombres. El tiempo entre la aparición \r\nde los síntomas y la consulta con el sistema de salud fue de \r\ncuatro días. Los principales síntomas encontrados fueron: \r\nfiebre, mialgias, artralgias, vómitos y dolor abdominal. El \r\n90% de los pacientes presentaron variaciones en las pruebas \r\nhepáticas TGP y TGO, y en alteraciones de la función renal se \r\nobservó la mayor alteración en BUN. De acuerdo con los resul\r\n-\r\ntados, las personas menores de 10 años de edad, con escasos \r\nrecursos y del régimen subsidiado tienen un mayor riesgo d\r\ne \r\nmortalidad. El dolor abdominal y vómito son predictores \r\nimportantes de choque; también se puso de manifiesto \r\nque el uso de antiinflamatorios no esteroides aumenta \r\nel riesgo; las pruebas de función hepática presentan las \r\nmayores alteraciones y la hemoconcentración no se utiliza \r\npara evaluar el riesgo de dengue grave.

Introdução. A dengue é uma prioridade no sistema de saúde \r\nda Colômbia. No departamento do Meta, ela é endêmica e \r\ncausa mortalidade, ainda que o Departamento tenha uma boa \r\ncobertura e acesso a serviços de saúde. Objetivos\r\n.\r\n Descrever \r\na mortalidade por dengue, características sociodemográ\r\n-\r\nficas e possíveis determinantes associados à mortalidade no \r\ndepartamento do Meta. Materiais\r\ne\r\nmétodos\r\n.\r\n Estudo descri\r\n-\r\ntivo retrospectivo de revisão de prontuários médicos e cartões \r\nde notificação para o sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, \r\nSivigila. Critério de inclusão. Cartão de notificação, disponi\r\n-\r\nbilidade de prontuário médico e laboratorial com resultados \r\ncompletos e confirmação da morte por dengue. Critério de \r\nexclusão. Casos não confirmados por patologia ou laboratório. \r\nResultados. 35 casos de morte por dengue foram estudados \r\nentre janeiro de 2010 e maio de 2014; idade média de 27,3 \r\nanos de idade; 51,43% menores de 10 anos de idade; 51,4% do \r\nsexo masculino. O tempo entre o início do aparecimento de \r\nsintomas e a consulta com o sistema de saúde foi de 4 dias. \r\nOs principais sintomas encontrados foram: febre, mialgia, \r\narthralgia, vômitos e dor abdominal. 90% dos pacientes apre\r\n-\r\nsentaram alterações nos testes de função hepática, TGP e TGO, \r\ne, nas alterações da função renal, foi observada uma maior \r\nalteração no BUN. Conclusões. Pessoas menores de 10 anos \r\nde idade, com recursos escassos e que recebem subsídio do \r\ngoverno, têm um maior risco de mortalidade; a dor abdominal \r\ne vômito são importantes preditores de choque. Também \r\nfoi evidenciado que o uso de Aines (NSAIDs em português) \r\naumenta o risco de choque e morte por dengue. Testes de \r\nfunção hepática apresentaram as maiores alterações e não \r\nse utiliza hemoconcentração para avaliar o risco de dengue \r\ngrave. É necessário melhorar a educação e a informação dada \r\nà comunidade para aumentar a chance de consulta. Também \r\né importante melhorar a educação médica contínua, para \r\ngarantir a adesão aos protocolos relacionados à dengue, espe\r\n-\r\ncialmente para ensinar aos pacientes a reconhecer os sinais de \r\nalerta de dengue.

Evaluation of the World Health Organization 2009 classification of dengue severity in autopsied individuals, during the epidemics of 2011 and 2012 in Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The dengue classification proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009 is considered more sensitive than the classification proposed by the WHO in 1997. However, no study has assessed the ability of the WHO 2009 classification to identify dengue deaths among autopsied individuals suspected of having dengue. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of the WHO 2009 classification to identify dengue deaths among autopsied individuals suspected of having dengue in Northeast Brazil, where the disease is endemic. METHODS: This retrospective study included 121 autopsied individuals suspected of having dengue in Northeast Brazil during the epidemics of 2011 and 2012. All the autopsied individuals included in this study were confirmed to have dengue based on the findings of laboratory examinations. RESULTS: The median age of the autopsied individuals was 34 years (range, 1 month to 93 years), and 54.5% of the individuals were males. According to the WHO 1997 classification, 9.1% (11/121) of the cases were classified as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 3.3% (4/121) as dengue shock syndrome. The remaining 87.6% (106/121) of the cases were classified as dengue with complications. According to the 2009 classification, 100% (121/121) of the cases were classified as severe dengue. The absence of plasma leakage (58.5%) and platelet counts <100,000/mm3 (47.2%) were the most frequent reasons for the inability to classify cases as DHF. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO 2009 classification is more sensitive than the WHO 1997 classification for identifying dengue deaths among autopsied individuals suspected of having dengue.

Severe dengue in the early postoperative period after kidney transplantation: two case reports from Hospital Geral de Fortaleza

Abstract: Dengue is an arbovirosis that ranges from an asymptomatic presentation to a more severe disease, which is characterized by a vascular leakage syndrome where abdominal pain is a major symptom. Transplant recipients are immunosuppressed and are less likely to develop a severe form of the disease because of a reduction in immune-mediated responses that trigger plasma extravasation events. Herein, we report two cases of severe dengue in the early postoperative period of two kidney transplant recipients. Considering the severity of the cases, we emphasize the importance of dengue screening immediately before transplantation in areas endemic for the disease.

Trends and factors associated with dengue mortality and fatality in Brazil

Studies that generate information that may reduce the dengue death risk are essential. This study analyzed time trends and risk factors for dengue mortality and fatality in Brazil from 2001 to 2011.

Occurrence of severe dengue in Rio de Janeiro: an ecological study

Introduction This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the incidence of severe dengue during the 2008 epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and socioeconomic indicators, as well as indicators of health service availability and previous circulation of the dengue virus serotype-3 (DENV-3). Methods In this ecological study, the units of analysis were the districts of Rio de Janeiro. The data were incorporated into generalized linear models, and the incidence of severe dengue in each district was the outcome variable. Results The districts with more cases of dengue fever in the 2001 epidemic and a higher percentage of residents who declared their skin color or race as black had higher incidence rates of severe dengue in the 2008 epidemic [incidence rate ratio (IRR)= 1.21; 95% confidence interval (95%CI)= 1.05-1.40 and IRR= 1.34; 95%CI= 1.16-1.54, respectively]. In contrast, the districts with Family Health Strategy (FHS) clinics were more likely to have lower incidence rates of severe dengue in the 2008 epidemic (IRR= 0.81; 95%CI= 0.70-0.93). Conclusions At the ecological level, our findings suggest the persistence of health inequalities in this region of Brazil that are possibly due to greater social vulnerability among the self-declared black population. ...

Evaluation of the WHO classification of dengue disease severity during an epidemic in 2011 in the state of Ceara, Brazil

In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a new guideline that stratifies dengue-affected patients into severe (SD) and non-severe dengue (NSD) (with or without warning signs). To evaluate the new recommendations, we completed a retrospective cross-sectional study of the dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases reported during an outbreak in 2011 in northeastern Brazil. We investigated 84 suspected DHF patients, including 45 (53.6%) males and 39 (46.4%) females. The ages of the patients ranged from five-83 years and the median age was 29. According to the DHF/dengue shock syndrome classification, 53 (63.1%) patients were classified as having dengue fever and 31 (36.9%) as having DHF. According to the 2009 WHO classification, 32 (38.1%) patients were grouped as having NSD [4 (4.8%) without warning signs and 28 (33.3%) with warning signs] and 52 (61.9%) as having SD. A better performance of the revised classification in the detection of severe clinical manifestations allows for an improved detection of patients with SD and may reduce deaths. The revised classification will not only facilitate effective screening and patient management, but will also enable the collection of standardised surveillance data for future epidemiological and clinical studies.

Risk factors associated with death in Brazilian children with severe dengue: a case-control study

Objective: The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate risk factors associated with death in children with severe dengue. Methods: The clinical condition of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who died (cases, n = 18) was compared with that of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who survived (controls, n = 77). The inclusion criteria for this study were age under 13 years; hospital admission in São Luis, northeastern Brazil; and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of dengue. Results: Severe bleeding (hemoptysis), a defining criterion for dengue severity, was the factor most strongly associated with death in our study. We also found that epistaxis and persistent vomiting, both included as warning signs in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of dengue, were strongly associated with death. No significant association was observed between any of the laboratory findings and death. Conclusions: The finding that epistaxis and persistent vomiting were also associated with death in children with severe dengue was unexpected and deserves to be explored in future studies. Because intensive care units are often limited in resource-poor settings, any information that can help to distinguish patients with severe dengue with a higher risk to progress to death may be crucial. .

Módulo educativo para la Promoción de Prácticas saludables frente al dengue y la fiebre chikungunya: Dirigido al personal de salud para el trabajo con vigías de salud y miembros del comité ambiental en instituciones educativas / Educational module for the Promotion of Healthy practices against dengue and chikungunya: Directed health personnel for work with lookouts health and environmental committee members in educational institutions

El dengue es uno de los principales problemas sanitarios del país, cuyo vector transmisor el Aedes aegypti , el mismo que se encuentra disperso en la mayoría de las regiones de nuestro país y que a su vez es transmisor de la fiebre de Chikungunya. La persistencia del vector se asocia con la existencia de determinantes sociales y ambientales, tales como los estilos de vida, el crecimiento poblacional, las migraciones, la urbanización no controlada ni planificada y los grandes cinturones de pobreza en las ciudades, siendo las instituciones educativas los escenarios estratégicos para desarrollar intervenciones que contribuyan a disminuir esta grave problemática. En el marco de la articulación intersectorial entre el Ministerio de Salud y el Ministerio de Educación, se ha elaborado el presente “Módulo Educativo para la Promoción de Prácticas Saludables Frente al Dengue y la Fiebre de Chikungunya”, dirigido al personal de salud para el trabajo con vigías de salud del comité ambiental en instituciones educativas, cuyo objetivo es proporcionar contenidos conceptuales y estrategias metodológicas al personal de salud para el fortalecimiento de capacidades de estudiantes vigías de salud en la promoción de prácticas saludables y acciones de prevención frente al dengue, desarrollado en tres sesiones educativas

Factors related to severe dengue during an epidemic in Vitoria, State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, 2011

Introduction The prognosis of dengue depends on early diagnosis and treatment, which can help prevent severe forms whose characteristics were evaluated here. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving dengue cases in Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, in 2011. Results Two health regions registered 56.3% of 371 cases of severe dengue. Of these cases, 21.3% presented with dengue hemorrhagic fever. There were associations between dengue hemorrhagic fever with younger ages and a longer time before receiving care. Conclusions There was a greater involvement of dengue hemorrhagic fever in young people. Delay in care, poor urban quality and high endemicity were identified as possible risk factors for dengue severity. .

HLA-A*01 allele: a risk factor for dengue haemorrhagic fever in Brazil's population

Severe forms of dengue, such as dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome, are examples of a complex pathogenic mechanism in which the virus, environment and host immune response interact. The influence of the host's genetic predisposition to susceptibility or resistance to infectious diseases has been evidenced in several studies. The association of the human leukocyte antigen gene (HLA) class I alleles with DHF susceptibility or resistance has been reported in ethnically and geographically distinct populations. Due to these ethnic and viral strain differences, associations occur in each population, independently with a specific allele, which most likely explains the associations of several alleles with DHF. As the potential role of HLA alleles in the progression of DHF in Brazilian patients remains unknown, we then identified HLA-A alleles in 67 patients with dengue fever and 42 with DHF from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, selected from 2002-2008 by the sequence-based typing technique. Statistical analysis revealed an association between the HLA-A*01 allele and DHF [odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, p = 0.01], while analysis of the HLA-A*31 allele (OR = 0.5, p = 0.11) suggested a potential protective role in DHF that should be further investigated. This study provides evidence that HLA class I alleles might be important risk factors for DHF in Brazilian patients.

Clinical and laboratory findings in patients with dengue associated with hepatopathy / Achados clínicos e laboratoriais em pacientes com dengue associada à hepatopatia

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic disorders caused by dengue infection may progress to severe manifestations, including mortality and morbidity. Cytokines are involved in it, such as the migration inhibitory factor of macrophages (MIF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), natural killer cells (NK), B lymphocytes, and macrophages. METHODS: This study was carried out from January to April 2007 at a public hospital from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil. Sixty-eight patients were studied concerning hepatic alterations, with 56 reported having classic dengue, 6 with hemorrhagic dengue grade I, and 6 with hemorrhagic dengue grade II. RESULTS: Among the 56 with classic dengue, 83.3 percent had aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alterations, and 69.6 percent had altered alanine aminotransferase (ALT). For those with hemorrhagic dengue grade I, 100 percent had AST alterations, and 83.3 percent had altered ALT. All the patients with hemorrhagic dengue grade II had AST and ALT alterations. AST variations reached 22.0 and 907.0, with an average value of 164.6. For ALT, we found variations between 25.0 and 867.0, with an average value of 166.07. There had been statistical significance between dengue clinical shapes and hepatic function markers. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the infection was predominant in adults, females, and in those with low income and education. The liver enzymes were of larger amount in hemorrhagic dengue, but there was weak statistical evidence of the clinical manifestations and transaminases. Major signs and clinical symptoms were fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, weakness, severe pain behind the eyes, and rashes.

INTRODUÇÃO: Afecções hepáticas causadas pela infecção da dengue podem evoluir para quadro grave, incluindo mortalidade e morbidade. O mecanismo de lesão do fígado está relacionado com a exacerbação da resposta imune. As citocinas estão envolvidas nele como fator inibidor da migração de macrófagos (MIF), fator de necrose tumoral (TNF), células natural killer (NK), B linfócitos e macrófagos. MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi realizado em um hospital público da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul. As alterações hepáticas pelo dengue podem evoluir com quadros graves e potencialmente letais. Foram avaliados exames de 68 pacientes atendidos e confirmados com dengue, onde 56 foram classificados como dengue clássico, seis, como dengue hemorrágico grau I e seis como dengue hemorrágico grau II. RESULTADOS: Do dengue clássico, 83,3 por cento tiveram alterações de aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e 69,6 por cento alterações para alanino aminotransferase (ALT). No dengue hemorrágico grau I, AST elevou-se 100 por cento e para ALT 83,3 por cento. No dengue hemorrágico grau II observou-se 100 por cento de alterações tanto para AST, quanto para ALT. A variação de AST ficou entre 22,0 e 907,0 com média de 164,6. A alanino aminotransferase variou entre 25,0 e 867,0 com média de 166,07. Houve significância entre formas clínicas do dengue e marcadores de função hepática. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que a infecção predominou em adultos do sexo feminino, de baixa renda e escolaridade. As enzimas hepáticas elevam-se mais no dengue hemorrágico, fraca evidência estatística entre as manifestações clínicas e as transaminases. Os mais prevalentes sinais/sintomas clínicos foram febre, cefaléia, mialgia, artralgia, fraqueza, dor retrorbitária e exantema.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever complicated by pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an atypical complication of dengue fever and is rarely described. We are reporting a case of dengue hemorrhagic fever complicated by acute pancreatitis in a patient with history of diabetes mellitus type 1 and end stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

Dengue: clinical forms and risk groups in a high incidence city in the southeastern region of Brazil / Dengue: formas clínicas e grupos de risco em município de alta incidência do sudeste do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: The article describes the epidemiologic profile of dengue cases in Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2009, aimed at identifying risk groups regarding the incidence and severity of the disease. METHODS: Confirmed cases of dengue among city residents during ten years were classified as dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome and dengue with complications, and analyzed according to sex, age, race-color and education. RESULTS: The proportion of dengue cases was highest among women aged 20 to 29 years-old and similar between whites and blacks. A gradual decrease occurred in the percentage of dengue cases in the population aged 15 years-old or more, in the historical series of 10 years, and a growing increase in individuals less than 15 years-old, showing statistical significance. The fatality rate ranged from zero to 0.3% for all forms of dengue and from 0.2% to 18.2% for severe forms. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of those affected by the disease in the municipality is similar to those affected in Brazil. The increasing number of cases in individuals under 15 years-old corroborates the results of recent studies in other Brazilian municipalities.

INTRODUÇÃO: O artigo descreve o perfil epidemiológico dos casos de dengue ocorridos no município de Vitória, capital do Estado do Espírito Santo, no período de 2000 a 2009, procurando identificar grupos de risco para a incidência e gravidade da doença. MÉTODOS: Os casos de dengue, confirmados em residentes do município no período de dez anos, foram classificados como febre da dengue, febre hemorrágica da dengue, síndrome do choque da dengue e dengue com complicações, e analisados segundo sexo, faixa etária, raça-cor e escolaridade. RESULTADOS: A proporção de casos de dengue foi maior entre mulheres, indivíduos de 20 a 29 anos, e semelhante entre brancos e afrodescendentes. Houve uma diminuição gradual do percentual de casos de dengue na população com 15 anos ou mais, na série histórica de 10 anos, e um aumento crescente em menores de 15 anos de idade, com significância estatística. A taxa de letalidade variou de zero a 0,3% para todas as formas de dengue, e de 0,2% a 18,2% para as formas graves. CONCLUSÕES: O perfil dos acometidos pela dengue no município é semelhante ao do Brasil. O aumento crescente de casos em menores de 15 anos corrobora os resultados de estudos recentes em outros municípios brasileiros.

Clinical and epidemiological characterization of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in northeastern, Brazil / Caracterização clínica e epidemiológica dos casos de dengue hemorrágica no nordeste do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: The dengue hemorrhagic dengue (DHF) remains an important public health problem in Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of DHF cases during the 2003 epidemic in Ceará. METHODS: Suspected DHF cases with onset of symptoms between January and December 2003 were investigated. RESULTS: 37,964 classic dengue cases and 291 DHF cases were reported. Among the cases discarded, 75.5 percent were serologically positive but did not meet the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The DHF patients' median age was 30 years (2 - 88). Among the hemorrhagic manifestations, petechiae were the most (32.6 percent) frequent. Cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, pericardial pleural effusion, hepatomegaly, hypotension and shock showed higher risk of progression to death (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a new serotype (DENV-3) in Ceará, which encountered a susceptible population and high vector density, may have been the primary agent responsible for the magnitude of the epidemic. Timely and appropriate medical care, along with an organized care structure are essential for reducing its lethality.

INTRODUÇÃO: A febre hemorrágica do dengue (FHD) permanece como um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os aspectos epidemiológicos dos casos de dengue hemorrágico durante a epidemia de 2003, no Ceará. MÉTODOS: Foram investigados os casos suspeitos de FHD, com início de sintomas no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2003. RESULTADOS: Foram reportados 37.964 casos de dengue clássica, com 291 casos de FHD. Entre os casos descartados, 75,5 por cento apresentaram sorologia positiva, mas não preenchem os critérios recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. A mediana de idade dos pacientes com FHD foi de 30 anos (2 - 88). Para manifestações hemorrágicas, as petéquias com 32,6 por cento foram as mais frequentes. Os casos de hemorragia digestiva, ascite, derrame pleural e pericárdico, hepatomegalia, hipotensão e choque apresentaram maior risco de progressão para óbito (p <0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A introdução de um novo sorotipo (DENV-3) no Ceará, encontrando a população suscetível e a alta densidade do vetor podem ter sido os principais responsáveis pela magnitude da epidemia. A atenção médica oportuna e adequada, bem como uma estrutura organizada de cuidado aos pacientes são indispensáveis para reduzir a letalidade.

Investigação de óbitos por dengue no estado da Bahia / Investigation of deaths of dengue in the state of Bahia

Introdução: A situação da dengue vem se agravando em todo o mundo no que diz respeito à sua magnitude, abrangência territorial e gravidade das apresentações clínicas. Na Bahia, a situação não é diferente e o quadro torna-se a cada ano mais complexo: aumento do número de casos e principalmente de óbitos. O presente artigo descreve as características clínicas, epidemiológicas, laboratoriais e da assistência à saúde prestada a 47 casos de dengue que evoluíram para óbito no Estado da Bahia em 2009. Métodos: Utilizou-se dados secundários provenientes da Diretoria de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Bahia, do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, dos prontuários médicos e das declarações de óbitos e dados primários provenientes de entrevistas com parentes dos falecidos. Resultados: Dos óbitos analisados, 53,2% eram de ≥ 15 anos,61,70% eram do sexo feminino, 34% não tinham a 1ª a 4ª série completa e a mediana da renda familiar era de setecentos reais. Os sintomas mais frequentes foram febre, vômitos, cefaléia, mialgia e prostração. A manifestação hemorrágica mais comum foi a hematêmese e 97,9%apresentaram sinal de alerta. Apesar de 63,5% apresentarem leucopenia, a leucocitose se mostrou um achado importante. Quanto à assistência prestada, a falta de vagas nos serviços de saúde foi relatada como dificuldade para transferência e internamento na rede de saúde, além disso, 45% dos familiares relataram não terem sido informados quanto à importância da hidratação oral domiciliar no tratamento da dengue e da necessidade do retorno aos serviços de saúde no caso de aparecimento de algum sinal de alerta.

Dengue in the Americas: challenges for prevention and control: [review] / Dengue en las Américas: desafíos para su prevención y control: [revisión]

Dengue is the most important vector-borne disease in the Americas and threatens the lifes of millions of people in developing countries. Imprecise morbidity and mortality statistics underestimate the magnitude of dengue as a regional health problem. As a result, it is considered a low priority by the health sector with no timely steps for effective control. Dengue is perceived as a problem of "others" (individually, collectively and institutionally), therefore responsibility for its control is passed on to others (neighbors, the community, municipality, health institutions, or other governmental agencies). With no precise risk indicators available there is little opportunity for timely diagnoses, treatment, health interventions or vector control (poor surveillance). Solutions only targeting the vector reduce the impact of interventions and there is no sustainable control. Without political commitment there are insufficient resources to face the problem. This paper discusses the challenges for prevention and control in the Americas.

El dengue es la enfermedad transmitida por vector más importante en las Américas, que amenaza la vida de millones de personas. Las cifras subestiman la magnitud del problema y el dengue no figura como prioridad para las autoridades en salud y no se identifica como problema (baja percepción de riesgo), por lo que las medidas para el control se realizan tardíamente. El dengue se considera un problema de "otros" (individuo, colectividad, institucional) y la responsabilidad del control se desvía hacia otros (vecindario, comunidad, municipio, el Ministerio de Salud, etc.). Se carece de indicadores de riesgo precisos, por lo que no hay oportunidad para acciones de diagnóstico, tratamiento, prevención y control vectorial. Con intervenciones poco efectivas no hay control sostenible y sin compromiso político no hay recursos suficientes para enfrentar este problema sanitario. Este artículo aborda los desafíos para la prevención y el control del dengue en las Américas.