Abstract

SOSA CABRERA, Tayde Josefina  and  SANTOS PEREZ, Marlene. Clinical and laboratory characterization of a dengue outbreak in a rural area in Campeche, Mexico . Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2008, vol.60, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3054.

Background: the first dengue epidemics detected in a rural area of Campeche State in Mexico from October to December, 1977, which coincided with the occurrence of dengue serotype 3 in this state, was described. The population of the small affected community amounted to 214 inhabitants of Maya origin, with low socioeconomic standard. Objectives: to describe the characteristics of a dengue outbreak in a rural area, to find out the clinical forms and identify the serotypes in 10 dengue fever cases. Methods: the clinical cases were classified according to PAHO/WHO guidelines. Capture MAC-ELISA test confirmed the dengue infection and the plaque reduction neutralization assay identified the primary or secondary infection. Results: Out of 53 serologically-confirmed cases, 50 (94,3 %) evolved into dengue fever and 3 (5,7 %) into hemorrhagic dengue fever, two of which died. Hemorrhagic manifestations (epistaxis, petechias and gingivorhage) were observed in 62,3 % (33/53) of cases. Thirty individuals were under 20 years, 12 aged 21-40 years and 11 were over 50 years. Secondary infection was detected in 6 subjects and primary infection in one subject; this suggests that dengue virus had previously circulated in this region. Conclusions: for the first time, an outbreak was reported in a rural area of Campeche State in Mexico, which was related to the introduction of dengue serotype 3 in this region. The high number of dengue fever cases with hemorrhagic characteristics and the 3 hemorrhagic dengue fever cases suggested that this might have been a more aggressive viral strain, so it would be important to genetically characterize dengue viruses circulating in Campeche State.

Keywords : Dengue; epidemics; rural area; serotypes; Mexico.

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