Septic shock secondary to non-congenital chikungunya fever in a young infant: A clinical case

Abstract

Introduction: A chikungunya outbreak took place in the State of Yucatan starting in the second half of 2015

Objective: To analyse the clinical course of a case of chikungunya in a previously healthy infant, providing practical evidence to guide future diagnoses and treatment during outbreak seasons in endemic areas

Case Report: Clinical manifestation started with a sudden onset of fever and a diffuse macular-papillary erythema, originally treated in the community with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Two days later, the fever relapsed with hypoactivity, severe thrombocytopenia and neutropenia (without lymphopenia), respiratory distress, liver dysfunction, sepsis, followed by septic shock with a fatal outcome. IgM test was positive to chikungunya, while her mother tested negative. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the blood culture possible due to contamination, without ruling out the possibility of a mixed origin sepsis.

Conclusions: Chikungunya is a disease in which the manifestations in neonates and young infants can be severe, and even fatal. It is important to suspect it in this age group at risk of vector contact, in the presence of fever without apparent source of infection and cutaneous manifestations. It is important to use the antipyretics cautiously, considering the possibility of aggravating the underlying infection, and the potential hepatic and haematological damage.