Clinical and biological features of acute hepatic cytolysis in dengue fever: a study from Sourô Sanou University hospital, Bobo-Dioulasso

Abstract

Objective: To describe hepatic cytolysis in patients hospitalized for dengue at the Sourô Sanou University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and analytical study conducted over 3 months. All patients hospitalized for dengue during this timeframe were included. Data were collected using the KoBoCollect v1.30.1 application and analyzed with Epi Info software. Results: A total of 256 patients were included. The mean age was 38.10 ± 16.28 years. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed in 72.26% and 46.85% of patients, respectively. A reduced prothrombin time was noted in 4.68% of cases, and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in 3.9%. Patients with hypertension had a 2.3-fold higher risk of developing hepatic cytolysis. The median length of hospital stay was five days. The case-fatality rate was 7.03%. Transaminase levels normalized in 95.5% of cases, with a mean recovery time of 13 days. Conclusions: Hepatic cytolysis is a common complication of severe dengue. Its clinical course is generally favorable. Hypertension appears to be a significant risk factor for the development of this liver injury.