Elevated levels of cell-free circulating DNA in patients with acute dengue virus infection.
BACKGROUND
Apoptosis is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of severe dengue and the release of cell-free DNA into the circulatory system in several medical conditions. Therefore, we investigated circulating DNA as a potential biomarker for severe dengue.


RESULTS
A direct fluorometric degradation assay using PicoGreen was performed to quantify cell-free DNA from patient plasma. Circulating DNA levels were significantly higher in patients with dengue virus infection than with other febrile illnesses and healthy controls. Remarkably, the increase of DNA levels correlated with the severity of dengue. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that circulating DNA levels independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating DNA levels were increased in dengue patients and correlated with dengue severity. Additional studies are required to show the benefits of this biomarker in early dengue diagnosis and for the prognosis of shock complication.
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Tran Thi Ngoc
TT
Ha
Nguyen Tien
NT
Huy
Lyre Anni
LA
Murao
Nguyen Thi Phuong
NT
Lan
Tran Thi
TT
Thuy
Ha Manh
HM
Tuan
Cao Thi Phi
CT
Nga
Vo Van
VV
Tuong
Tran Van
TV
Dat
Mihoko
M
Kikuchi
Michio
M
Yasunami
Kouichi
K
Morita
Vu Thi Que
VT
Huong
Kenji
K
Hirayama
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D003710:Demography; D003715:Dengue / Q000097:blood*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007753:Laboratories; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D004247:DNA