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In June 2001, dengue transmission was detected in Havana, Cuba; 12,889 cases were reported. Dengue 3, the etiologic agent of the epidemic, caused the dengue hemorrhagic fever only in adults, with 78 cases and 3 deaths. After intensive vector control efforts, no new cases have been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective:: To report the clinical, laboratory and sonographic findings in 76 adult cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Patients and methods:: A dengue 3 epidemic occurred in Havana City from June 2001 to March 2002. 12,889 cases were reported, with 81 DHF cases. From this, 76 serologically confirmed cases were studied descriptively. Results:: Bronchial asthma and white race were important risk factors for the severe form of the disease. Fever (100%), headache (92.1%), myalgia (76.3%), arthralgia (73.7%) and retro-orbital pain (57.7%) were the most frequent general symptoms. Vomiting and abdominal pain were observed in 59.2% and 48.6% of cases, respectively. The most common bleeding site was the vagina (64%), followed by the skin (55.2%). Eighteen patients (23.6%) had shock syndrome. Laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia (100%), hemoconcentration (93.4%), an increase in liver enzymes (82.8%), and leukopenia (71%). Ultrasound detected thickening of the gallbladder wall in 35.1%, pleural effusion in 20.3%, and splenomegaly in 12.9% of cases. Conclusion:: These findings contribute to a better understanding of the clinical aspects of DHF in adult patients due to the dengue 3 virus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]