Serum phospholipase A2 in dengue.

Group II phospholipase A2 is an enzyme involved in the pathologies of various inflammatory diseases, including infections. We measured the concentration of group II phospholipase A2 in sera of 49 patients suffering from dengue, virus serotype 3, during a recent epidemic in The Cook Islands. Group II phospholipase A2 concentrations were elevated above the normal level in 90% of the patients. There was a significant negative correlation between group II phospholipase A2 levels and platelet counts. It was concluded that dengue virus infection causes a generalized inflammatory reaction and acute phase response. Determination of serum group II phospholipase A2 level gives useful information for assessing the severity of viral infections, including dengue.