An unusual case of dengue infection presenting with hypokalemic paralysis with hypomagnesemia

J Clin Virol. 2015 Aug:69:197-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.06.098. Epub 2015 Jun 26.

Abstract

Neurological manifestations are unusual in dengue fever and can be due to neurotropic effect, systemic complications of dengue infection, or immune mediated. Acute hypokalemic paralysis is a rare systemic complication of dengue infection; however, hypokalemia along with hypomagnesemia has not been reported earlier. We herein report an extremely unusual and probably the first case of dengue infection in a 30-year-old male who presented to us with hypokalemic paralysis along with hypomagnesemia. This case report highlights that hypomagnesemia may be a significant complication in dengue infection. Correction of hypomagnesemia is of paramount importance to avoid refractory hypokalemia leading to severe consequences.

Keywords: Dengue infection; Hypokalemia; Hypomagnesemia; Paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dengue / complications*
  • Dengue / metabolism
  • Dengue / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / metabolism
  • Hypokalemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Paralysis / metabolism
  • Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Potassium / analysis*

Substances

  • Potassium