Hemoperitoneum in dengue fever with normal coagulation profile

• Main Authors: Nagesh Kumar Talakad Chandrashekar, Rashmi Krishnappa, Chandra Sekara Reddy, Arun Narayan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Global Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Coagulation profile; Dengue; Hemoperitoneum; Laparoscopy; Ultrasound
• Online Access: http://www.jgid.org/article.asp?issn=0974-777X;year=2013;volume=5;issue=1;spage=29;epage=30;aulast=Chandrashekar

A 43-year-old male living in Bengaluru sought emergency services due to high-grade fever, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain and distension. Platelet count (except the first-96,000/mm 3 ) and coagulation profile was in normal limits. The dengue serology was positive for IgM and Ig G (immunoglobulin M and G) antibodies. Ultrasound abdomen showed gross ascites, mild bilateral pleural effusion and hepatosplenomegaly. The patient continued to have abdominal pain and progressive distention Ascitic tap was hemorrhagic. Later laparoscopy showed 1.5 liters peritoneal fluid with blood clots and mild diffuse congestion of the peritoneum. Liver, spleen and blood vessels were normal. Then what would be the possible mechanism to explain hemoperitoneum, is it the increased vascular permeability caused by the virus? India being endemic for dengue illness, it is an interesting and rare case presentation.