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Objectives Proper serological testing for the definite diagnosis of dengue is costly and may not be easily available in a resource-limited setting. Hematological parameters can help in the early identification of dengue cases. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence and utility of pseudobasophilia in identifying dengue-affected patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1,304 dengue cases confirmed by serology and 1,044 dengue serology negative acute febrile illness cases as controls. Complete blood count (CBC) values of the first EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) blood sample from automated hematology analyzers were reviewed. The hematological parameters in the dengue and control groups were compared and the variation of these parameters with the day of fever was also analyzed. Statistical Analysis Mann-Whitney’s test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Results There was a statistically significant variation between dengue cases and controls for hematocrit, platelet count, mean platelet volume, total white blood cell count, and absolute basophil count. The dengue group had a higher hematocrit from day 2 to day 10, platelet count ≤ 100,000/µL from day 4 to day 9, higher mean platelet volume from day 2 to day 7, leucopenia from day 3 to day 5, and higher absolute basophil count from day 2 to day 10. Interestingly, pseudobasophilia was seen in 533 (40.87%) of dengue cases and only 3 (0.28%) of the controls. Pseudobasophilia was also observed to have an increasing trend to the day of fever. Conclusion Pseudobasophilia along with other CBC parameters is useful and cost effective for the early identification of dengue. This can prompt early investigations and supportive treatment leading to improved clinical outcomes.

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Background: Viral infections are a significant cause of graft loss and dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients. Cytomegalovirus and BK polyomavirus have often been explained as the most common viral etiological agents. Objectives: The current study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of cytomegalovirus and BK polyomavirus infection in post-renal transplant individuals in a tertiary care centre in South India and also to study the histopathological changes of such infections in the kidney allograft biopsies. Patients and Methods:We conducted a retrospective investigation of 100 cases using archival renal biopsy specimens which were subjected to immunohistochemical stains to detect cytomegalovirus and BK polyoma virus. These findings were then correlated with the histopathological alterations detected in H&E sections. Results: We detected the prevalence of cytomegalovirus in 7% and BK polyoma virus in 3%. Cytomegalovirus was statistically associated with pre-and post-transplant infections along with diabetic status. We noted that, out of the seven patients who were immunohistochemically cytomegalovirus positive, only five had positive cytomegalovirus IgM status. With BK polyoma virus, we noted a statistical significance with pre-and posttransplant infections. However, we did not find evidence of cytomegalovirus and BK polyoma virus co-infection in any of the renal allograft biopsies. Conclusions: Routine immunohistochemical evaluation of cytomegalovirus and BK polyoma viral infections in kidney allograft recipients must be done, especially in those with preand post-transplant infections and diabetes.

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