RISK-FACTORS IN DENGUE SHOCK SYNDROME

Despite a growing body of evidence predominantly, but not exclusively, from Thailand suggesting that the risk of developing dengue shock syn drome (DSS) is greatest following an anamnestic dengue infection, part icularly if the most recent infection was with dengue 2 virus, there c ontinues to be debate about the justification for these claims. This r eport describes a five-year, prospective study in two townships (subur bs) in Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar (Burma) in which attempts were made to confirm the data from an earlier prospective study in Thailand and to address some of the criticism of earlier studies. This investigation found the incidence of anamnestic dengue infections in DSS patients to be significantly higher than in the community from which they were dr awn and a significantly higher risk of developing DSS following an ana mnestic infection (particularly with dengue 2 virus) than following a primary infection with any serotype.