Problems in diagnosis and classification of dengue virus infection
George, R.
Malaysian Journal of Pathology 15(1): 25-27
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0126-8635 PMID: 8277785 Document Number: 419555
WHO has classified dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) into 4 grades with the severest cases included under the category of dengue shock syndrome (DSS). This article looks at the classification of dengue virus infection and tabulates the WHO classification. As the clinical manifestations of dengue and DHF have changed over recent years, it has become difficult for clinicians to easily fit cases into the classification. The history of dengue infection in Malaysia is examined in some detail and it is shown that DHF was first reported in 1962 and that since 1990 there have been outbreaks of dengue with severe and unusual manifestations. Early epidemics mainly affected children with very few adults. However, in 1982, young adults were commonly affected, and from 1987 onwards all ages were affected from infants under 6 months to adults over 50 years of age. The problems of age incidence and the changing clinical presentation of dengue are discussed.