EVALUATION OF LIVER FUNCTION TESTS DUE TO DENGUE INFECTION IN DEPALPUR, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Dengue fever, a rapidly expanding arboviral disease affecting an estimated 2.5 billion people globally, poses a critical public health challenge, particularly in the WHO Southeast Asia Region, which accounts for 52% of the global at-risk population. In Pakistan’s District Lahore, rising dengue incidence has been linked to geo-climatic factors, necessitating spatial mapping and targeted interventions. This study evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics of 70 participants (40 dengue-positive, 30 dengue-negative) from October 2024 to February 2025, with a focus on hepatic involvement and gender disparities. Dengue-positive patients exhibited a striking female predominance (72.5% vs. 27.5% male), contrasting sharply with the dengue-negative group (70% male vs. 30% female). Liver function tests revealed significant hepatic dysfunction in dengue-positive cases, with markedly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT: 207.8 ± 61.1 U/L vs. 40.87 ± 12.1 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST: 188.9 U/L vs. 40.7 U/L) levels compared to controls (*p* < 0.001, t-statistics: ALT=15.72, AST=17.42), indicating substantial hepatocellular injury. While mean ages were comparable between groups (32.4 ± 14.93 vs. 31.4 ± 17.72 years), the broad age range (6–59 years) and median age (~30 years) highlighted dengue’s widespread demographic impact. Moderate age dispersion (SD: 14.9317.72) suggested age was not a primary discriminator, though a trend toward younger susceptibility emerged. NS1 antigen testing confirmed dengue infection’s association with hepatic stress, aligning with global evidence of liver involvement in dengue pathogenesis. These findings underscore the interplay of gender-specific susceptibility and dengue-induced liver injury in Lahore, emphasizing the need for gender-inclusive public health strategies and hepatic monitoring in dengue management. The study provides critical insights into regional dengue dynamics, supporting resource prioritization and outbreak prediction in high-risk areas. Further research is warranted to explore serotype-specific effects and ecological drivers of observed disparities.