Dengue or acute retroviral syndrome?

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of primary HIV infection is a crucial element in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. Clinical manifestations associated wit h primary infection are nonspecific Dengue is a possible differential diagn osis. CASE REPORT: A 15-year-old adolescent living in Martinique consulted for a syndrome suggestive of infectious mononucleosis. The annual dengue epidemic was at its acme at this time. Serum was positive for IgM and the diagnosis of dengue was retained. The diagnosis of recent HIV infection was made two months later (unprotected homosexual intercourse two weeks before onset of clinical signs). Retrospective analysis of the earlier samples at the time of the viral syndrome demonstrated that the patient actually had an acute retroviral syndrome. DISCUSSION: The clinical and biological manifestations of dengue and primar y HIV infection are nonspecific and similar to those of infectious mononucl eosis. Potential exposure to HIV and recent presence in endemic dengue regi ons (tropical areas in America, Asia and Africa) can provide helpful guidan ce for differential diagnosis. (C) 2000, Masson. Paris.