The role of vascular endothelial growth factor leading to vascular leakage in children with dengue virus infection

Increased vascular permeability is the main aetiology for hypovolaemic shock and circulatory failure in dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Aim: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of DHF. Methods: Serum samples from 41 patients [15 dengue fever (DF), 26 DHF] with serologically confirmed dengue virus infection during the febrile, toxic, convalescent stages and at follow-up were analysed for VEGF. Plasma samples from an additional 27 children (16 DF and 11 DHF) during the febrile, toxic stages and at 4-week follow-up and from eight healthy controls were analysed for VEGF. Results: Serum and plasma VEGF levels were not elevated during the febrile or toxic stages of dengue virus infection and did not differ between patients with DF and DHF. Conclusion: Plasma leakage in patients with DHF cannot be explained by elevation of VEGF during the toxic stage of the illness.