Clinicobiochemical Difference of Patients Presenting with Dengue and Chikungunya during Post-Monsoon Season

Introduction: India plays host to a number of vector-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya. Both diseases demonstrate a synchronised peak, and present with similar findings. An early accurate distinction between them is valuable for effective treatment and prevention of complications. Currently used diagnostic methods estimate either antibodies or antigens; the former are absent in the first week of disease, and testing for the latter is expensive. Aim: To compare clinical profiles (history, examination) and laboratory parameters of patients with dengue fever and chikungunya fever. Materials and Methods: Pre-diagnosed patients of dengue (50) and chikungunya (50) were studied to elicit patterns in clinical, haematological and biochemical profiles which may be used for differentiation. The time taken for resolution of symptoms, and complications, were studied prospectively. The data were analysed using Z-test. Results: In both the diseases, patients present with short pyrexia (