[Imported dengue hemorrhagic fever: aprops of 1 case presenting with signs of acute alithiasic cholecystitis].
Dengue is prevalent in all subtropical areas. Hemorrhagic forms of the disease were first described in southeast Asia but have now been observed on several continents. Travelers are at risk for infection and the likelihood of imported dengue has grown in relation to volume of air traffic. In developed countries, dengue usually presents in the benign form, but sudden aggravation is always possible. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of imported dengue hemorrhagic fever associated with abdominal pain in a traveler returning from Asia. Radiological findings were suggestive of nonlithiasic cholecystitis. Similar ultrasound feature have been reported by pediatric groups during dengue outbreaks in Asia. Previous findings have shown that bladder involvement is a predictive sign of severe disease and impending shock. Surgery is contraindicated in these patients. Close clinical and laboratory surveillance is necessary due to the high risk of aggravation. The pathogenesis of this severe life-threatening form of the disease is unclear. A possible explanation is involvement of a more virulent strain of virus. Dengue should always be considered after malaria in the differential diagnosis of returning travelers patients presenting fever.
Van Troys
H
H
Service de Pathologie Infectieuse et Tropicale, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Laveran, Marseille, France.
Gras
C
C
Coton
T
T
Deparis
X
X
Tolou
H
H
Durand
J P
JP
D015746:Abdominal Pain; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia; D002764:Cholecystitis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014195:Travel