Low-Level Pre-existing Antibodies Against Dengue Virus Predispose to Severe Disease

A large epidemiology study among Nicaraguan children indicates that dengue hemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome occur predominantly in those with low preexisting antibody titers.

The four types of dengue virus (DENV) cause a combined 50 to 100 million human infections a year. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), the most severe forms of dengue fever, can cause organ failure and death. Factors that affect the risk for DHF/DSS include infection with a DENV type other than the primary infection, age, interval between infections, and individual host factors. In vitro and animal investigations suggest that heterotypic antibodies in a specific mid-range level may not neutralize DENV particles but rather facilitate virus replication. To examine whether the same effect occurs in humans, researchers measured DENV antibody (Ab) titers in a cohort of 2- to 14-year-old children in Nicaragua, using inh…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Low-Level Pre-existing Antibodies Against Dengue Virus Predispose to Severe Disease

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Reviewing Author