Bitten by a bug or a bag? Transfusion-transmitted dengue: a rare complication in the bleeding surgical patient.
BACKGROUND
Blood-borne infections remain a risk of blood transfusions. While routine screening of donated blood products has greatly reduced the risk of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C transmission, arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and the West Nile virus remain significant risks especially during outbreaks.


METHODS
We report a rare case of dengue documented to be acquired through a blood transfusion, which resulted in severe thrombocytopenia prolonging admission in hospital in a neurosurgical patient.


RESULTS
The donor of one of the units of red blood cells presented with dengue fever 2 days after donating. Sanger sequencing confirmed DENV-2 (dengue virus, Serotype 2) in both the donor and the patient samples and showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity between the two viruses, confirming transfusion-transmitted dengue infection.


CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the importance of arboviral screening of donor blood, especially for populations in endemic areas during outbreaks.
University Surgical Cluster, Singapore.
Han Boon
HB
Oh
University Surgical Cluster, Singapore.
Vaishnavi
V
Muthu
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Singapore.
Zubin J
ZJ
Daruwalla
Department of Hematology-Oncology, Singapore.
Shir Ying
SY
Lee
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Singapore.
Evelyn S
ES
Koay
Department of Infectious Diseases, National University Health System, Singapore.
Paul A
PA
Tambyah
D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003715:Dengue / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*