Association between inverted neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and laboratory-confirmed dengue among febrile patients in an endemic area of northern Peru

Vásquez-Tirado G.A.; Fuentes-Muñoz R.J.; Meregildo-Rodríguez E.D.; Quispe-Castañeda C.V. · Infectio (2026) · DOI: 10.22354/24223794.1302

Resumen

Introduction: Dengue, a virus of the genus Flavivirus and family Flaviviridae, is an infectious disease that presents a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection or febrile syndrome without alarm signs to severe dengue with critical alarm signs. This study aimed to determine whether the inversion of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (INLR) is associated with dengue in adults with febrile syndrome in a reference hospital in northern Peru. Materials and methods: A retrospective case-control study enrolled 150 patients aged > 15 years, who were admitted to the JAMO II-2 Tumbes Hospital, Peru, diagnosed with febrile syndrome, and treated between January 2018 and January 2022. We evaluated whether the INLR is associated with dengue diagnosis in patients admitted with febrile syndrome in an endemic area for the disease in northern Peru. Results: Among the patients without dengue, four (8.0%) had INLR, while among those with dengue, 46 (92.0%) showed INLR, a significant risk factor for dengue according to multivariate analysis (OR 607.6; 95% CI 92.9 – 1023.9; p<0.001). The pre-test probability was 30%, and the post-test probability was 96% (LR +: 49). Discussion: INLR is associated with dengue in adult patients with febrile syndrome at a reference hospital in northern Peru.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego