Tropical Fever Panel

Following tests are a part of the topical fever panel:

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne single positive-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus. After an incubation period of 2-7 days, dengue infection is asymptomatic in the majority of cases or may result in a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. Mild dengue fever causes a high fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain. A severe form of dengue fever, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and death.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Alphavirus. The transmission of this virus occurs by the bite of infected mosquitoes of the genus Aedes that is Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 12 days. Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.

 West Nile Virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA flavivirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. After an incubation period of 2-8 days, infections are asymptomatic without any symptoms in people. Second type WNV infections result in mild fever (West Nile Fever) while the third type of WNV infections with the virus crossing the blood-brain barrier causes severe outcomes such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) 

ZIKA virus is a pathogenic mosquito-borne positive single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus and family Flaviviridae. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 7 days. Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis.

Plasmodium, a genus of parasitic protozoans of the sporozoan subclass Coccidia that are the causative organisms of malaria. Four species are traditionally regarded as causing malaria in humans: Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum. The incubation time takes 7 days or more after the first exposure. In malaria, symptoms progress through fever, chills, headache, Nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe malaria, clinical or laboratory evidence shows signs of vital organ dysfunction.

Rickettsia is obligate intracellular, Gram-negative bacteria of the genera Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Anaplasma. Rickettsiae are transmitted through saliva or dust of dried feces of infected ticks, mites, fleas, and lice. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal problems. Rash, eschar, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathies are also common. Infected people may suffer pneumonitis, encephalitis, and myocarditis at a later stage. The incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks.

Leptospira are obligate aerobic Gram-negative spirochete bacteria that are transmitted by direct contact with urine or fluids from infected animals or contaminated water. Symptoms are generally high fever, headache, bleeding, muscle pain, chills, red eyes, and vomiting. The incubation period is 2 days to 3 weeks. Leptospirosis (Weil ́s disease) is a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria. It is characterized by high fever, significant jaundice, renal failure, hepatic necrosis, pulmonary involvement, cardiovascular collapse, neurologic changes, and hemorrhagic diathesis.