Antibodies produced during Dengue

Antibodies produced during Dengue

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – Antibodies produced during dengue lead to massive destruction of platelets: Doctor

Concept –

• In dengue, the drop in platelet count is because of the following reasons:
  • # Platelet count in dengue decreases as it suppresses bone marrow, which is the platelet-producing area.
  • # Platelet count in dengue decreases because of blood cells affected by the disease.
  • # Antibodies that are produced during this period lead to massive destruction of platelets in dengue.
• What is a normal platelet count in a body?
  • In the normal human body, the platelet count in dengue ranges from 1.5 lakh to 4 lakh.
• How does a drop in platelet count in cases of dengue manifest? What are the complications?
  • Patient can be asymptomatic or may have bleeding manifestations, such as:
    • # Bleeding from gums or nose
    • # Blood in urine, stools or vomit
    • # Bleeding under the skin, which might look like bruising
    • # Major internal organ bleeds in few cases.
  • When is a platelet transfusion required?
    • In cases where platelets drop to below 10,000, platelet transfusion is required but in case of bleeding manifestations, platelet transfusions can even be given at more than the cut-off value of 10,000 too.
  • There are many requests for donation of platelets. Who can donate platelets? And what are the key points to be kept in mind, considering platelets last only for five days?
    • Donor eligibility criteria are the same for both platelet and whole blood donors.
    • Any healthy adult who clears the screening process of the blood bank for platelet donation can donate the platelets. Do eat a regular meal and drink plenty of fluids one to two hours before donating platelets.
    • Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for at least 72 hours before platelet donation.
  • Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes within the genus Aedes.
  • Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle, and joint pain, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.
  • There are four types of dengue strains, and type II and IV are considered to be more severe and normally require hospitalisation.
  • According to experts, the aedes mosquito breeds in clean stagnant water.
  • Meanwhile, cases of malaria, chikungunya and viral fever are also rampant during monsoon.

To know more about Dengue, please click here and here.