Fulminant Hepatic Failure as an Unusual Presentation of Dengue: ALF due to Dengue

Abstract

We present the case of a 20-year-old woman with no comorbidities, diagnosed with dengue, who initially presented with classical clinical symptoms and developed fulminant hepatic failure seven days after the onset of the illness. This publication aims to strengthen and clarify the national and global epidemiology of a disease that typically follows a benign course but can occasionally progress to severe dengue with multisystem organ failure.

We document a case of fulminant hepatic failure, evidenced by biochemical and clinical markers consistent with neurological impairment, triggered by a viral infection associated with dengue and confirmed through a positive NS1 serum test. Management was initiated with hemodynamic and metabolic support.

This uncommon but potentially fatal complication can hinder the timely identification of the disease. Therefore, providing information on the atypical clinical presentation is of great medical and scientific relevance, as it impacts both the diagnostic approach and therapeutic management of this unusual presentation.