Expanded Dengue Syndrome: Gastrointestinal Manifestations.: March 2018
Expanded Dengue Syndrome: Gastrointestinal Manifestations.: March 2018
Expanded Dengue Syndrome: Gastrointestinal Manifestations.: March 2018
net/publication/324389711
CITATION READS
1 1,621
9 authors, including:
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
Clinical profile, outcome and predictors of outcome in Bangladeshi patients with Expanded Dengue Syndrome View project
All content following this page was uploaded by Ahmad Mursel Anam on 10 April 2018.
Review Article
34
Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6 (1): 34-39
These unusual manifestations may be associated with permeability are thought to result in thickening of the
co-infections, co-morbidities or complications of prolonged gallbladder wall. Acute acalculous cholecystitis in DHF is
shock.1,15 Often, EDS may present with severe disease, self-limiting; usually no intervention is required.14,28-30
requiring exhaustive investigations1,15 and demanding Surgical intervention is reserved for patients with diffuse
multi-disciplinary supports for aggressive and effective peritonitis.12
measures. Table 3 enlists the recognized conditions of EDS,
• Acute pancreatitis
but a number of sporadically reported features (e.g. acute
colonic pseudo-obstruction,16,17 spontaneous muscle
haematoma,18-20 spontaneous haemothorax,21,22
thyrotoxicosis23,24 etc) associated with DHF/severe dengue are
there also.
Pathogenesis
The mechanisms that lead to severe life-threatening
manifestations of dengue viral infection are not completely
understood. A number of hypotheses have been proposed,
namely, viral tropism to cell and organ systems, viral load and Fig. 2: Ultrasound showing swollen pancreas.
virulence, complement activation, transient autoimmunity, Acute pancreatitis in dengue infection presents with similar
host factors, neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies, features as with other causes. The exact pathogenesis is poorly
T-cell response, and soluble mediators etc, but pathogenesis is understood, but has been postulated to result either from direct
likely to be multi-factorial.25 Detailed discussion of invasion by the virus itself, causing inflammation and
pathogenesis is beyond the scope of this review, but in destruction of pancreatic acinar cells; or pancreatic damage
summary, it is evident that platelets and the vascular due to dengue shock syndrome (grades III and IV of DHF); or
endothelium are the two end-organs affected, leading to acute viral infection causing an autoimmune response to
bleeding manifestation and plasma leakage, respectively, pancreatic islet cells and development of oedema of the
leading to shock/DHF and organ dysfunction/EDS.14,25 ampulla of Vater with obstruction to the outflow of pancreatic
Gastro-Intestinal System manifestations of Expanded fluid. Raised pancreatic enzymes and edematous pancreas
Dengue Syndrome [Fig. 2] on ultrasound is evident.12,21,30 Though mortality is
high in other aetiogy, acute pancreatitis as EDS usually runs a
• Acute abdomen benign course.15
Abdominal pain is a feature of severe dengue.10 Although • Spontaneous splenic rupture
abdominal pain may present with other EDS, there are reports
of uncommon presentation with acute abdomen only.26 Some
of these patients even required surgical exploration for
exclusion of other presumptive differential diagnoses.
Mechanism for acute abdomen in EDS is not known, but
presumed to be non-specific peritonitis. Usually, conservative
measures are all that patient requires. 26,27
• Acute acalculous cholecystitis
35
Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6 (1): 34-39
muscles during sneezing, coughing or defecation, and 3) traumatic factors can alter the autonomic regulation of colonic
vascular occlusion causing thrombosis and infarction, function, causing colonic atony and pseudo-obstruction.42
interstitial and sub-capsular bleed, stripping of the capsule Nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and pain are
and finally capsular rupture. In dengue, it is thought to be due common symptoms at presentation. On examination, the
to a combination of coagulation factors and severe abdomen is tympanic, and bowel sounds are typically present.
thrombocytopenia, but again, the mechanism is not fully The most severe complication is caecal perforation, when the
clear.32,33,36 Imaging (USG, MRI or CT) of the abdomen can distension is greater than 9 cm radiographically. Supportive
easily identify this condition [Fig. 3].33,35 Splenic rupture management is usually the mainstay of successful therapy in
needs a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. It can occur in patients not exhibiting signs of perforation.42,43 The exact
both uncomplicated and complicated/severe dengue. Early cause of the syndrome in dengue infection is not completely
surgical intervention (splenectomy) and appropriate understood, but may be associated with post-viral
supportive management is required for successful outcome of dysautonomia. Hyponatraemia might also be the cause for the
patient.32,33,36 acute intestinal pseudoobstruction.16
• Splenic necrosis
This is another extremely rare EDS, reported only once till
date, that presented with left upper quadrant pain. The cause
remains unknown. Ultrasonography and Doppler findings of
splenomegaly with hypoechoic periphery and no colour flow
wass suggestive of splenic necrosis in the background of
DHF. No specific treatment was required.37
• Acute appendicitis
Although dengue fever itself can mimic acute appendicitis,
thought to be due to lymphoid hyperplasia and mesenteric
adenitis, DHF can occur concurrently with acute
appendicitis.38 The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical
grounds, i.e features of persistent right iliac fossa pain,
evidence of localized peritonism like guarding, and persistent
fever.38,39 Perforation of the inflamed appendix is potentially
fatal and can be complicated by the formation of an
appendicular mass.38 The patients need for careful evaluation,
including ultrasonography, even when the diagnosis of
dengue infection is confirmed. Delay in the diagnosis of
dengue infection can cause dengue shock syndrome or even Fig. 4: Abdominal radiograph showing dilated colon
death. Likewise, delaying or missing the diagnosis of acute Conclusion
appendicitis can result in serious complications.40 There is no
identified cause for acute appendicitis presenting EDS.41 Although reports of Expanded Dengue Syndrome are on the
rise, they are still under-recognized and under-reported. Only
• Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction a clinician with up-to-date information and high degree of
Few cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (commonly suspicion can identify a case of EDS and take appropriate
known as Ogilvie’s Syndrome) has been reported.16,17 measures, prevent complications and avoid unnecessary
Ogilvie’s syndrome is a clinical condition with the symptoms, procedures. We should keep our eyes and mind open for such
signs, and radiographic appearance of acute large bowel unusual features of DHF and let others be aware of it, for the
obstruction [Fig. 4], without evidence of a mechanical ultimate benefit of patients and mankind.
cause.42,43 Infectious, metabolic, pharmacological, or Competing interests: None declared.
36
Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6 (1): 34-39
Table 2: WHO classification of dengue infection 1
DHF I Fever and haemorrhagic manifestation (positive tourniquet • Platelet count <100 000 cells/mm3
test) and evidence of plasma leakage • HCT rise ≥20%
37
Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6 (1): 34-39
References: 8. Brady OJ, Gething PW, Bhatt S, Messina JP, Brownstein JS, Hoen
AG et al. Refining the global spatial limits of dengue virus
1. World Health Organization. Comprehensive Guidelines for transmission by evidence-based consensus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis
Prevention and Control of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic 2012;6:e1760.
Fever. Revised and Expanded Edition. New Delhi: World Health
Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, 2011. 9. Dhar-Chowdhury P, Paul KK, Haque CE, Hossain S, Lindsay LR,
Dibernardo A, et al. Dengue Seroprevalence, Seroconversion and
2. Guzman MG, Harris E. Dengue. Lancet 2015;385:453-465. Risk Factors in Dhaka, Bangladesh. PLoS Negl Trop Dis
2017;11:e0005475.
3. Simmons CP, Farrar JJ, Chau NV, Wills B. Current Concepts:
Dengue. N Engl J Med 2012;366:1423-32. 10. World Health Organization. Handbook for Clinical Management of
Dengue. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012.
4. Guzman MG, Gubler DJ, Izquierdo A, Martinez E, Halstead SB.
Dengue Infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2016; 2:16055. 11. Anam AM, Rabbani R, Shumy F. Expanded Dengue Syndrome:
Three Concomitant Uncommon Presentations in the Same Patient.
5. Sharmin S, Glass K, Viennet E, Harley D. Interaction of Mean Trop Doct 2017;47:167-70.
Temperature and Daily Fluctuation Influences Dengue Incidence in
12. Gulati S, Maheshwari A. Atypical Manifestations of Dengue. Trop
Dhaka, Bangladesh. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015;9: e0003901.
Med Int Health 2007;12:1087-95.
6. World Health Organization. Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention 13. Pawaria A, Mishra D, Juneja M, Meena J. Atypical Manifestations
and Control 2012-2020. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health of Dengue Fever. Indian Pediatr 2014;51:495-6.
Organization, 2012.
14. Nimmagadda SS, Mahabala C, Boloor A, Raghuram PM, Nayak
7. Bhatt S, Gething PW, Brady OJ, Messina JP, Farlow AW, Moyes CL UA. Atypical Manifestations of Dengue Fever (DF) - Where Do We
et.al. The Global Distribution and Burden of Dengue. Nature Stand Today? J Clin Diagn Res 2014;8:71-3.
2013;496:504–7.
38
Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2018; 6 (1): 34-39
15. Kadam DB, Salvi S, Chandanwale A. Expanded Dengue. J Assoc 30. Anam AM, Rabbani R, Shumy F. Expanded Dengue Syndrome:
Physicians India 2016;64:59-63. Three Concomitant Uncommon Presentations in the Same Patient.
Trop Doct 2017;47:167-70.
16. Anam AM, Rabbani R. Ogilvie’s Syndrome in Severe Dengue.
Lancet 2013;381:698. 31. Seetharam P, Rodrigues G. Dengue Fever Presenting as Acute
Pancreatitis. Eurasian J Med 2010;42:151-2
17. Liew ZH. Severe Dengue with Ogilvie’s Syndrome. Journal of
Microbiology, Immunology and Infection 2015;48:S184. 32. Bhaskar E, Moorthy S. Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in Dengue
Fever with Non-fatal Outcome in an Adult. J Infect Dev Ctries
18. Anam AM, Rabbani R, Shumy F. Spontaneous Calf Haematoma in
2012;6:369-72.
Severe Dengue. BMJ Case Rep 2018. Published online first: 9
January 2018. pii: bcr-2017-222932. 33. Anam AM, Polash MMI, Islam MM, Bhuiyan MMR, Nooruzzaman
ARM, Uddin MN. Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in Severe Dengue.
19. Kumar A, Mondal S, Sethi P, et al. Spontaneous Iliopsoas
Bangladesh Crit Care J 2013:1:59-62.
Haematoma in a Patient with Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF):
A Case Report. J Vector Borne Dis 2017;54:103–5. 34. de Silva WTT, Gunasekera M. Spontaneous splenic rupture during
the recovery phase of dengue fever. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:286.
20. Bhat KJ, Shovkat R, Samoon HJ. Abdominal Haematomas and
Dengue Fever: Two Different Cases of Spontaneous Psoas Muscle 35. de Moura Mendonça LS, de Moura Mendonça ML, Parrode N,
Haematoma and Bilateral Rectus Sheath Haematoma Complicating Barbosa M, Cardoso RM, de Araújo-Filho JA. Splenic Rupture in
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. J Vector Borne Dis 2015;52:339–41. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: Report of a Case and Review. Jpn J
Infect Dis 2011;64:330-2.
21. Anam AM, Rabbani R, Shumy F, Polash MM. Subsequent
Pancreatitis and Haemothorax in a Patient of Expanded Dengue 36. Gedic E, Girgin S, Aldemir M, Keles C, Tuncer MC, Aktas A.
Syndrome. Trop Doct 2016;46:40-2. Non-traumatic Splenic Rupture: Report of Seven Cases and Review
of the Literature. World J Gastroenterol 2008;14:6711-6.
22. Karanth SS, Gupta A, Prabhu M. Unilateral Massive Hemothorax in
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: A Unique Presentation. Asian Pac J 37. Mahmood NS, Suresh HB, D'Souza S. Splenic Necrosis as a Rare
Trop Med 2012;5:753–4. Complication of Dengue Fever. J Clin Ultrasound 2009;37:527
23. Assir MZ, Jawa A, Ahmed HI. Expanded Dengue Syndrome: 38. Low YN, Cheong BM. Appendicular Mass Complicating Acute
Subacute Thyroiditis and Intracerebral Hemorrhage. BMC Infect Appendicitis in a Patient with Dengue Fever. Med J Malaysia
Dis 2012;12:240. 2016;71:83-4.
24. Talib SH, Rahul S, Chordiya A. Expanded Dengue Syndrome: 39. Kumar L, Singh M, Saxena A, Kolhe Y, Karande SK, Singh N, et al.
Presenting as Overt Thyrotoxicosis without Stigmata of Grave’s Unusual Presentation of Dengue Fever Leading to Unnecessary
Disease (A Case Report). IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Appendectomy. Case Rep Infect Dis 2015;2015:465238.
Sciences 2013;5:4-6.
40. Senanayake MP, Samarasinghe M. Acute Appendicitis Complicated
25. Martina BE, Koraka P, Osterhaus AD. Dengue Virus Pathogenesis: by Mass Formation Occurring Simultaneously with Serologically
An Integrated View. Clin Microbiol Rev 2009;22:564-81. Proven Dengue Fever: A Case Report. J Med Case Rep 2014;8:116.
26. Al-Araimi H, Al-Jabri A, Mehmoud A, Al-Abri S. Dengue 41. McFarlane ME, Plummer JM, Leake PA, Powell L, Chand V, Chung
Haemorrhagic Fever Presenting as Acute Abdomen. Sultan Qaboos S, et al. Dengue Fever Mimicking Acute Appendicitis: A Case
Univ Med J 2011;1:265-8. Report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2013;4:1032-4.
27. Khor BS, Liu JW, Lee IK, Yang KD. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever 42. Saunders MD, Kimmey MB. Ogilvie’s Syndrome. In: McDonald
Patients with Acute Abdomen: Clinical Experience of 14 Cases. Am JWD, Burroughs AK, Feagan, BG, eds. Evidence-based
J Trop Med Hyg 2006;74(5):901-4. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2nd edn. London: BMJ Books;
2005: 303–9.
28. Wu KL, Changchien CS, Kuo CM, Chuah SK, Lu SN, Eng HL, et
al. Dengue Fever with Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis. Am J Trop 43. Maloney N, Vargas HD. Acute Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction
Med Hyg 2003;68:657-60. (Ogilvie’s Syndrome). Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2005; 18: 96–101.
29. Bhatty S, Shaikh NA, Fatima M, Sumbhuani AK. Acute Acalculous
Cholecystitis in Dengue Fever. J Pak Med Assoc 2009;59:519-21.
39