Dengue Virus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Case Series and Literature Review

Clinical features and outcomes of neonatal dengue at the Children's Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Objectives Neonatal dengue has been reported in the literature with contradictory findings of clinical characteristics and diagnosis; thereby, misdiagnosis of neonatal dengue has been frequently reported. We aim to delve into the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of neonatal dengue, thus avoid misdiagnosis and obtain early intervention. Study design A retrospective study was conducted at Children's Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with laboratory-confirmed dengue in neonates by positive viral antigen nonstructural protein one rapid test (NS1) and positive IgM antibody for dengue by MAC-ELISA. Results We have included 32 neonates in this study with 25% cases were misdiagnosed with neonatal sepsis, and 12.5% cases were misdiagnosed with neonatal immune thrombocytopenia at the beginning. The median time between the first day of the mother's onset of fever and childbirth was -1 days (IQR: -2, 2). The patient's clinical manifestation included: petechiae 87.5% (28/32), pharyngeal mucosal hemorrhage 6.3% (2/32), and hepatomegaly occurred 75% (24/32). In the febrile phase (day of illness 1-3), the mean white blood cell (WBC) counts were 7800 ± 800/mm³ and platelets were 97,111 ± 37,826/mm³. In the critical phase (day of illness 4-6), the mean WBC counts were 13,400 ± 2800/mm³, and platelets were 30,100 ± 5749/mm³. All mothers (100%) had laboratory-confirmed dengue by NS1 positive in the perinatal period. Conclusions The findings emphasize that early diagnosis of neonatal dengue should be based on a history of maternal illness, NS1 rapid test, and clinical presentation such as petechiae, hepatomegaly, and low platelet counts in the febrile phase.

Emerging and neglected zoonoses in transplant population

Zoonoses represent a problem of rising importance in the transplant population. A close relationship and changes between human, animal and environmental health (“One Health” concept) significantly influence the transmission and distribution of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this manuscript is to perform a narrative review of the published literature on emerging and neglected zoonoses in the transplant population. Many reports on donor-derived or naturally acquired (re-)emerging arboviral infections such as dengue, chikungunya, West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis and Zika virus infection have demonstrated atypical or more complicated clinical course in immunocompromised hosts. Hepatitis E virus has emerged as a serious problem after solid organ transplantation (SOT), leading to diverse extrahepatic manifestations and chronic hepatitis with unfavorable outcomes. Some neglected pathogens such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus can cause severe infection with multi-organ failure and high mortality. In addition, ehrlichiosis may be more severe with higher case-fatality rates in SOT recipients. Some unusual or severe presentations of borreliosis, anaplasmosis and rickettsioses were also reported among transplant patients. Moreover, toxoplasmosis as infectious complication is a well-recognized zoonosis in this population. Although rabies transmission through SOT transplantation has rarely been reported, it has become a notable problem in some countries. Since the spreading trends of zoonoses are likely to continue, the awareness, recognition and treatment of zoonotic infections among transplant professionals should be imperative.