Oxidized HDL as a Novel Predictive Biomarker in Conjunction with Selected Inflammatory Variables in Severe Dengue Fever Patients from Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Dengue fever is a deadly disease and represents one of the biggest threats to global health, with persisting uncertainty surrounding its prognosis and treatment standards. The onset of severe dengue fever, characterized by intense inflammation and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, is currently the only well-established association with disease severity. Therefore, identifying and assessing both new and established biomarkers that can accurately predict the outcome of severe dengue fever is essential.

Methods: In this study, 100 age-matched healthy controls and 100 hospitalized dengue patients positive for NS1 and IgM, with a mean age of 45 years (range: 22– 65), were examined. Potential biomarkers were analyzed using a Coulter counter, spectroscopy, and ELISA to determine their prognostic value in assessing dengue fever severity.

Results: Triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were significantly higher in severe dengue fever patients compared to controls (P