Effect of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor C on Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Induced by High d-Glucose in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker for cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia induces endothelial dysfunction, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Platelet-derived growth factor C stimulates angiogenesis and revascularization in ischemic tissues of diabetic mice and promotes the migration of progenitors and mature ECs to injury sites; however, the molecular mechanisms of its actions are not described yet. Here, we evaluated the effect of PDGF-C on oxidative stress induced by HG. Human aortic endothelial cells were grown in glucose concentrations ranging from 5 mmol/L to 35 mmol/L for 1 to 24 h. Treatment with 50 ng/mL PDGF-C was done for 1 to 3 h. Cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS were measured by fluorometry, and the expression of antioxidant enzymes was evaluated by Western blot. Nrf2 and Keap1 expression was assessed by real-time PCR. High glucose induced mitochondrial ROS production. PDGF-C diminished the oxidative stress induced by high glucose, increasing SOD2 expression and SOD activity, and modulating the Keap1 expression gene. These results give new evidence about the mitochondrial antioxidant effect that PDGF-C could exert on endothelial cells exposed to high glucose and its considerable role as a therapeutic target in diabetes.

Extracts of Physalis peruviana Protect Astrocytic Cells Under Oxidative Stress With Rotenone.

The use of medicinal plants to counteract the oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases has steadily increased over the last few years. However, the rationale for using these natural compounds and their therapeutic benefit are not well explored. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different Physalis peruviana extracts on astrocytic cells (T98G) subjected to oxidative damage induced by rotenone. Extracts of fresh and dehydrated fruits of the plant with different polarities were prepared and tested in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of fresh fruits (EF) and acetone-dehydrated fruit extract (AD) increased cell viability, reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. In contrast, we observed a significant reduction in mitochondrial mass when rotenone-treated cells were co-treated with EF and AD. These effects were accompanied by a reduction in the percentage of cells with fragmented/condensed nuclei and increased expression of endogenous antioxidant defense survival proteins such as ERK1/2. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ethanolic and acetone extracts from P. peruviana are potential medicinal plant extracts to overcome oxidative damage induced by neurotoxic compounds.

First Analysis of SERPING1 Gene in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema in Colombia Reveals Two Genotypic Variants in a Highly Symptomatic Individual.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a heterogeneous genetic disease caused by a deficit in C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) and clinically characterized by sudden events of edema, swelling, and pruritus. Here, we describe the first SERPING1 genotyping in 22 subjects from 4 non-related families, all from southern Colombia. The previously reported heterozygous gene mutations, c.1081C>T (p.Gln361*), c.1396C>G (p.Arg466Gly), c.1029+84G>A, or c.106_107del (p.Ser36Phefs*21), were found in 12 patients. Of note, a single patient clinically characterized as severe HAE type 2 expressed mutations in exon 8 and intron 6, whereas all the others have type 1 HAE and expressed one pathogenic variant. One of the subjects, a 5-year-old girl was discovered to have a pathogenic variant, and she is still asymptomatic. This is the first report focused on HAE genetic analysis in a Colombian population.

Total and Envelope Protein-Specific Antibody-Secreting Cell Response in Pediatric Dengue Is Highly Modulated by Age and Subsequent Infections.

The response of antibody-secreting cells (ASC) induced by dengue has only recently started to be characterized. We propose that young age and previous infections could be simple factors that affect this response. Here, we evaluated the primary and secondary responses of circulating ASC in infants (6-12 months old) and children (1-14 years old) infected with dengue showing different degrees of clinical severity. The ASC response was delayed and of lower magnitude in infants, compared with older children. In primary infection (PI), the total and envelope (E) protein-specific IgM ASC were dominant in infants but not in children, and a negative correlation was found between age and the number of IgM ASC (rho = -0.59, P = 0.03). However, infants with plasma dengue-specific IgG detectable in the acute phase developed an intense ASC response largely dominated by IgG and comparable to that of children with secondary infection (SI). IgM and IgG produced by ASC circulating in PI or SI were highly cross-reactive among the four serotypes. Dengue infection caused the disturbance of B cell subsets, particularly a decrease in the relative frequency of naïve B cells. Higher frequencies of total and E protein-specific IgM ASC in the infants and IgG in the children were associated with clinically severe forms of infection. Therefore, the ASC response induced by dengue is highly influenced by the age at which infection occurs and previous immune status, and its magnitude is a relevant element in the clinical outcome. These results are important in the search for correlates of protection and for determining the ideal age for vaccinating against dengue.

Altered immune parameters correlate with infection-related hospitalizations in children with Down syndrome.

In addition to previously studied immunological variables, the relative expression of IFNGR2, IFNAR1, CD18, and CD275 (all encoded in chromosome 21) on circulating leucocytes and multifunctional T cells (evaluated by an intracellular cytokine/proliferation assay) were compared between children with Down syndrome (DS) and healthy controls (HC). As previously reported, numbers of lymphocytes, CD4(+) T cells, Treg cells, B cells, and levels of serum IgM were decreased, and levels of IgG and IgA were increased in children with DS. Moreover, the relative expression of CD18 on T and B cells (previously and not previously reported, respectively) were elevated in DS children (p⩽0.01). Age and numbers of B and Treg cells moderately correlated with retrospectively identified infection related hospitalizations (rho: 0.300-0.460, p⩽0.003). Age and the numbers of Treg cells also correlated with prospectively identified infection related hospitalizations. Future studies are necessary to clarify the role of these parameters in the immunity of DS patients.

High plasma levels of soluble ST2 but not its ligand IL-33 is associated with severe forms of pediatric dengue.

Identification of early determinants of dengue disease progression, which could potentially enable individualized patient care are needed at present times. Soluble ST2 (sST2) has been recently reported to be elevated in the serum of children older than 2 years old and adults with dengue infection and it was correlated with secondary infections as well as with severe presentations of the disease. The mechanism by which secreted ST2 is linked to severe dengue and plasma leakage remains unclear. One possibility is that IL-33 ligand may be elevated, contributing to membrane bound ST2 as part of the immune activation in dengue infection. We determined plasma levels of sST2 and the ligand IL-33 in 66 children with acute secondary dengue infections clinically classified using the guidelines of the World Health Organization, 2009. Dengue infection showed significant increases in cytokines IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1ß and TNFα measured by flow cytometry based assay compared to uninfected individuals. In contrast, IL-33 levels remained unchanged between infected and uninfected individuals. The levels of sST2 positively correlated with values of IL-6 and IL-8 and inversely correlated with number of median value of platelet levels. In addition to circulating cytokine positive correlations we found that sST2 and isoenzyme creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), a marker of myocardial muscle damage present in severe dengue cases were associated. Our pediatric study concluded that in dengue infections sST2 elevation does not involve concomitant changes of IL-33 ligand. We propose a study to assess its value as a predictor factor of disease severity.

Compromiso hepático por Dengue en niños del Huila, Colombia / Dengue-related hepatic compromise in children from the Huila department of Colombia

Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia y severidad del compromiso hepático en niños con Dengue. Métodos Estudio descriptivo que incluyó a 108 niños menores de 13 años con diagnóstico de infección por virus de Dengue, confirmada por detección plasmática de NS1 e IgM dengue-específica, que consultaron al Hospital Universitario de Neiva, en el período de junio de 2009 a mayo de 2010.El grado de daño hepático fue evaluado por criterios clínicos y bioquímicos que incluyeron transaminasas y albúmina. El diagnóstico de infección con Leptospira o Hepatitis A fue realizado por detección de IgM plasmática específica medida en fase aguda y convaleciente. Resultados De los casos incluidos, 98 y 10 casos fueron clasificados como dengue con signos de alarma y Dengue grave, respectivamente. Dos de cada tres pacientes con Dengue presentaron signos de alarma y todos los pacientes con Dengue grave presentaron algún grado de compromiso hapático evidenciado clínica y bioquímicamente. Independientemente de la clasificación clínica, la hepatomegalia fue el signo clínico cardinal del compromiso hepático y se presentó en el 85 % del total de niños incluidos. De resaltar, 5 de los pacientes presentaron probable coinfección de dengue y leptospira, siendo la primera descripción en Colombia. En ninguno de los casos analizados se presentó enfermedad aguda por Hepatitis A. Conclusión El compromiso hepático es muy frecuente en la infección por virus Dengue. Enfermedades como la leptospirosis deben ser tenidas en cuenta no sólo en el diagnóstico diferencial del paciente pediátrico febril con compromiso hepático, sino como causa de coinfección en el niño con Dengue en el sur de Colombia.

Objective Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease in the world; it can be life-threatening because of liver involvement. Aim Determining liver involvement frequency and severity in dengue-infected children. Methods This was a descriptive case series study which involved studying 108 dengue-infected children aged less than 13 years old whose infection had been confirmed by the detection of dengue-specific IgM and NS1 in plasma. Clinical and biochemical parameters were used for evaluating liver involvement, including transaminases and albumin. Hepatitis A and leptospira infection were also evaluated by using ELISA to detect pathogen-specific IgM in plasma during acute and convalescence phases. The study was carried out at a teaching hospital in Neiva from June 2009 to May 2010. Results Ninety-eight of the aforementioned cases were clinically classified as dengue with warning signs (DWS) and 10 as severe dengue (SD). Two out of three DWS patients and all SD patients had some degree of liver involvement, shown clinically and biochemically. Regardless of the clinical classification, hepatomegaly was the main clinical sign of liver involvement and was present in 85% of all the children in the study. It is worth noting that 5 patients had probable dengue and leptospirosis co-infection, this being the first instance of this in Colombia. None of the cases analyzed here had acute hepatitis A. Conclusions Liver compromise should be considered in confirmed cases of dengue as shown in this series of children. Leptospirosis must be considered as differential diagnosis and also as causing co-infection in a febrile child.

[Dengue-related hepatic compromise in children from the Huila department of Colombia]. / Compromiso hepático por Dengue en niños del Huila, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease in the world; it can be life-threatening because of liver involvement. Aim Determining liver involvement frequency and severity in dengue-infected children. METHODS: This was a descriptive case series study which involved studying 108 dengue-infected children aged less than 13 years old whose infection had been confirmed by the detection of dengue-specific IgM and NS1 in plasma. Clinical and biochemical parameters were used for evaluating liver involvement, including transaminases and albumin. Hepatitis A and leptospira infection were also evaluated by using ELISA to detect pathogen-specific IgM in plasma during acute and convalescence phases. The study was carried out at a teaching hospital in Neiva from June 2009 to May 2010. RESULTS: Ninety-eight of the aforementioned cases were clinically classified as dengue with warning signs (DWS) and 10 as severe dengue (SD). Two out of three DWS patients and all SD patients had some degree of liver involvement, shown clinically and biochemically. Regardless of the clinical classification, hepatomegaly was the main clinical sign of liver involvement and was present in 85% of all the children in the study. It is worth noting that 5 patients had probable dengue and leptospirosis co-infection, this being the first instance of this in Colombia. None of the cases analyzed here had acute hepatitis A. CONCLUSIONS: Liver compromise should be considered in confirmed cases of dengue as shown in this series of children. Leptospirosis must be considered as differential diagnosis and also as causing co-infection in a febrile child.

Comparación de los perfiles de transcripción de pacientes con fiebre de dengue y fiebre hemorrágica por dengue que muestra diferencias en la respuesta inmunitaria y claves en la inmunopatogénesis / Comparison of the transcriptional profiles of patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever reveals differences in the immune response and clues in immunopathogenesis

Introducción. El dengue puede manifestarse como una enfermedad leve o evolucionar hasta una enfermedad grave, llamada fiebre hemorrágica por dengue, cuyos mecanismos de inmunopatogénesis no son claros. Objetivo. Utilizar un análisis de microarreglos para identificar los genes de la respuesta inmunitaria diferencialmente expresados en niños colombianos con dengue leve y grave. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron los cambios de la expresión génica de células mononucleares de sangre periférica de niños con fiebre de dengue y fiebre hemorrágica por dengue en fase aguda, mediante el microarreglo de Affymetrix HG-U133_Plus_2. Resultados. Los pacientes con fiebre hemorrágica por dengue expresaron transcritos para interleucina 6, quimiocinas, complemento y pentraxina 3, al igual que inhibidores de la actividad de linfocitos (gen 3 de activación de linfocitos y catepsina L1). Un modelo de interacción desarrollado para estos genes mostró al factor tisular como central en la red generada. Por el contrario, los pacientes con fiebre de dengue expresaron inhibidores de la actividad de citocinas, complemento y leucotrienos lactotransferrina, inhibidor peptidasa serpina del complemento C1, leucotrieno B (4-omega hidroxilasa 2). Conclusiones. Los resultados podrían indicar que durante la fiebre de dengue, los inhibidores de citocinas y del complemento logran controlar el daño al endotelio y el aumento de la permeabilidad vascular, mientras que, en los pacientes con fiebre hemorrágica por dengue, la disfunción de las células inmunitarias y la acción no regulada del complemento y de las citocinas, conducen a un estado de “hipercoagulacion” y daño endotelial. La identificación del papel patógeno de las moléculas encontradas podría contribuir a la interpretación de la patogenia y al desarrollo de fármacos terapéuticos. Palabras clave: dengue, transcripción genética, análisis de micromatrices, fiebre hemorrágica del dengue, proteínas del sistema del complemento, citocinas.

Levels of soluble ST2 in serum associated with severity of dengue due to tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulation.

The interleukin-1 receptor-like-1 protein (IL1RL1), also known as ST2, has been shown previously to regulate T-cell function and is produced by T cells and endothelial cells. It was reported recently to be elevated in mild dengue patients during acute disease. The ST2 gene encodes several splice products: L (long), V (short) and s (soluble). A cohort of 38 patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and mild dengue fever (DF) were evaluated using a secreted soluble ST2 (sST2) ELISA. The RNA expression of ST2 was evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR using patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to sera from dengue patients. DHF patients had higher levels of serum sST2, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 compared with DF patients and normal healthy control individuals. However, viraemia was indistinguishable between mild and severe cases. No changes in ST2 mRNA expression were found in PBMCs from these two groups of dengue patients. In vitro, sST2 was elevated in HUVECs treated with patient sera. Neutralization of TNF-alpha in patient sera by pre-treatment with a TNF-alpha antibody inhibited the upregulation of sST2 expression in HUVECs. These results implicate serum TNF-alpha in the modulation of expression of sST2 in an in vitro system, and indicate that sST2 could be associated with the severity of disease. Further studies to determine whether sST2 levels are predictive of the severe form of the disease and the role of sST2 in immune regulation are warranted.

[Comparison of the transcriptional profiles of patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever reveals differences in the immune response and clues in immunopathogenesis]. / Comparación de los perfiles de transcripción de pacientes con fiebre de dengue y fiebre hemorrágica por dengue que muestra diferencias en la respuesta inmunitaria y claves en la inmunopatogénesis.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue infection demonstrates a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations from mild disease (dengue fever) to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever, but the immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in disease severity are not clear. OBJECTIVE: Differentially expressed genes associated to immune response were identified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Colombian children with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microarray analysis was used as a tool to establish and compare transcriptional profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of six children in acute phase of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The commercial gene chip used was Affymnetrix GeneChip HG_U133_Plus_2. RESULTS: Dengue hemorrhagic fever patients expressed interleukin 6, chemokines, complement proteins and pentraxin 3, along with the lymphocyte inhibitors lymphocyte-activation gene 3 and cathepsin L1. An interaction model for these genes showed tissue factor playing a central role in the network generated. In contrast, dengue fever patients expressed cytokines, complement and the leukotrienes inhibitors lactotransferrin, C1 inhibitor, and leukotriene-B (4-omega-hydroxylase 2). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in dengue fever, cytokine and complement inhibitors are able to limit endothelial damage and prevent increases in vascular permeability, whereas dengue- hemorrhagic fever patients have immune cell dysfunction and unregulated complement and cytokine action. This leads to "hypercoagulation" and endothelial damage, thereby increasing disease severity. Verification of the pathogenic role of the identified molecules will contribute to understanding of dengue pathogenesis and lead to rational development of therapeutic drugs.

Miocarditis en niños con fiebre por dengue hemorrágico en un hospital universitario de Colombia / Myocarditis in children affected by dengue hemorrhagic fever in a teaching hospital in Colombia

Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia de miocarditis en niños con fiebre por Dengue hemorrágico-FDH, en el Huila, Colombia. Materiales y Métodos Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de observación prospectiva, entre Marzo del 2005 y Octubre de 2006. Se observaron 102 pacientes con diagnóstico de FDH, basado en los criterios de la OMS, para identificar la frecuencia de miocarditis. Resultados Un 10,7 por ciento de los niños presentaron miocarditis. Solo un caso con miocarditis fue clasificado como dengue II; los otros diez casos fueron dengue III y IV. La diferencia en la presentación de miocarditis en los estadíos más severos de dengue fue estadísticamente significativa, con un p=0.0004. Diez de los pacientes tuvieron miocarditis que respondió al soporte inotrópico temprano. En el electrocardiograma (EKG), dos pacientes presentaron taquiarritmias, uno tipo supraventricular y otro ventricular, el resto mostró bradicardia sinusal con trastornos de repolarización y bajos voltajes. El ecocardiograma se realizó en 50 por ciento de los niños, encontrándose derrame pericárdico grado I-II en dos pacientes y uno con la fracción de eyección muy disminuida. La estancia promedio fue de 7 días. Un paciente presentó desenlace fatal. Conclusión La presentación de miocarditis alerta sobre la presencia de disfunción miocárdica como una patología a considerarse en pacientes con FDH.

Objective To determining myocarditis frequency in children suffering from DHF in the Huila region of Colombia. Methods This was a descriptive and prospective study which was carried out between March 2005 and October 2005 involving 102 patients suffering from DHF, based on WHO criteria. These children were followed-up to identify signs of myocarditis. Results 10.7 percent of the children had signs of myocarditis; one of them was classified as having dengue II and the other ten were classified as suffering form dengue III and IV. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0004). 10 patients had fulminant myocarditis and required early inotropic support. Two patients had tachyarrythmias in the EKG (one SV and one ventricular); the others had sinusal bradichardia and low voltages. Echocardiograms were perfomed on 50 percent of the children, revealing pericardial leakage grade I and II in two patients, one with very diminished EF and AF. Average hospital stay was 7 days. 10 had satisfactory outcome whereas one died. Conclusion This series of cases in children reinforces the association between myocarditis and dengue viral infection.

[Myocarditis in children affected by dengue hemorrhagic fever in a teaching hospital in Colombia]. / Miocarditis en Niños con Fiebre por Dengue Hemorrágico en un Hospital Universitario de Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To determining myocarditis frequency in children suffering from DHF in the Huila region of Colombia. METHODS: This was a descriptive and prospective study which was carried out between March 2005 and October 2005 involving 102 patients suffering from DHF, based on WHO criteria. These children were followed-up to identify signs of myocarditis. RESULTS: 10.7 % of the children had signs of myocarditis; one of them was classified as having dengue II and the other ten were classified as suffering form dengue III and IV. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0004). 10 patients had fulminant myocarditis and required early inotropic support. Two patients had tachyarrythmias in the EKG (one SV and one ventricular); the others had sinusal bradichardia and low voltages. Echocardiograms were perfomed on 50 % of the children, revealing pericardial leakage grade I and II in two patients, one with very diminished EF and AF. Average hospital stay was 7 days. 10 had satisfactory outcome whereas one died. CONCLUSION: This series of cases in children reinforces the association between myocarditis and dengue viral infection.

[Clinical and epidemiological characterisation of dengue haemorrhagic fever in Neiva, Colombia, 2004]. / Caracterización Clínica y Epidemiológica de Dengue Hemorrágico en Neiva, Colombia, 2004.

OBJECTIVE: Neiva (a southern Colombia city) is endemic for dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Neiva has suffered outbreaks of dengue, that in 2004 being the latest one. This study was designed to characterise epidemiological and clinical data from that outbreak of dengue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive, retrospective study of children aged less than 13 years who were admitted to the University Hospital and fulfilled the WHO's clinical and laboratory criteria for dengue or dengue haemorrhagic fever. Demographic, clinical and paraclinical data were recorded and analysed using Chi square (chi(2)) bivariate tabular test. RESULTS: 105 children were diagnosed as suffering from either dengue haemorrhagic fever (87.6%) or dengue fever (12.4%); 67% of them were aged less than 5 years. Girls were more frequently affected by severe clinical manifestations. 83% of the children were admitted during the first six days of the disease; dengue shock syndrome was diagnosed in 20% and 76% presented clinical complications (chi(2) 29.53, gl 6, p=0.0000). Aminotransferases were 3 to 5 times above normal levels. There was a statistical correlation between low platelet count (less than 20 000 per mm(3)) and shock during admission (chi(2) 20.65, gl 4, p=0.0004). Complications arose during clinical evolution in 32% of the cases (13% myocarditis, 19% hepatitis or encephalitis and 2% sepsis). CONCLUSION: The clinical and epidemiological characteristics observed in this cohort evidenced differences in age, gender and organs affected compared to data described in the literature; there was a high incidence of myocarditis.

Caracterización Clínica y Epidemiológica de Dengue Hemorrágico en Neiva, Colombia, 2004 / Clinical and epidemiological characterisation of dengue haemorrhagic fever in Neiva, Colombia, 2004

Objetivo Neiva es considerada endémica para fiebre dengue y fiebre dengue hemorrágico en Colombia. Durante el 2004 se presentó un brote epidémico, siendo necesario caracterizar el comportamiento epidemiológico y clínico durante esta epidemia. Materiales y Métodos Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de niños menores de 13 años que ingresaron al Hospital Universitario en este periodo, con criterios de Fiebre dengue y Fiebre dengue hemorrágico según la OMS. Se registraron los datos demográficos, clínicos y paraclínicos de ingreso. El análisis fue descriptivo y bivariado exploratorio utilizando la prueba de chi². Resultados De 105 niños el 87,6 por ciento ingresó con diagnóstico de fiebre dengue hemorrágico y el 12,4 por ciento con fiebre dengue. Un 67 por ciento correspondió a menores de 5 años, con mayor frecuencia y severidad en niñas. El 83 por ciento ingresó en los primeros seis días de enfermedad. Hubo datos de choque en el 20 por ciento de los pacientes, de estos el 76 por ciento presentó complicaciones (chi² 29.53, gl 6, p=0.0000). Entre los datos paraclínicos, las aminotransferasas se encontraron 3 a 5 veces el valor normal y hubo correlación entre recuento plaquetario inferior a 20 000 por mm³ y choque al ingreso (chi² 20,65, gl 4, p= 0.0004). La evolución fue favorable; sin embargo, hubo complicaciones en el 32 por ciento de los casos (13 por ciento miocarditis, 19 por ciento hepatitis o encefalitis y 2 por ciento sepsis). Conclusión Las características epidemiológicas y clínicas observadas en esta cohorte de pacientes mostraron una variación en género, edad y órgano blanco, con una incidencia alta de compromiso miocárdico.

Objective Neiva (a southern Colombia city) is endemic for dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Neiva has suffered outbreaks of dengue, that in 2004 being the latest one. This study was designed to characterise epidemiological and clinical data from that outbreak of dengue. Material and Methods This was a descriptive, retrospective study of children aged less than 13 years who were admitted to the University Hospital and fulfilled the WHO's clinical and laboratory criteria for dengue or dengue haemorrhagic fever. Demographic, clinical and paraclinical data were recorded and analysed using Chi square (chi²) bivariate tabular test. Results 105 children were diagnosed as suffering from either dengue haemorrhagic fever (87.6 percent) or dengue fever (12.4 percent); 67 percent of them were aged less than 5 years. Girls were more frequently affected by severe clinical manifestations. 83 percent of the children were admitted during the first six days of the disease; dengue shock syndrome was diagnosed in 20 percent and 76 percent presented clinical complications (chi² 29.53, gl 6, p=0.0000). Aminotransferases were 3 to 5 times above normal levels. There was a statistical correlation between low platelet count (less than 20 000 per mm³) and shock during admission (chi² 20.65, gl 4, p=0.0004). Complications arose during clinical evolution in 32 percent of the cases (13 percent myocarditis, 19 percent hepatitis or encephalitis and 2 percent sepsis). Conclusion The clinical and epidemiological characteristics observed in this cohort evidenced differences in age, gender and organs affected compared to data described in the literature; there was a high incidence of myocarditis.