Diagnóstico etiológico de pacientes con exantemas o cuadros febriles atendidos en 1998. Estado Zulia, Venezuela

Background: Exanthematic diseases are a group of syndromes mainly caused by acute viral infections. Aim: To obtain information about the viruses that cause exanthematic diseases in our region. Patients and methods: During 1998, 267 serum samples from patients with an acute rash or patients presenting a febrile syndrome accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, headache and other symptoms, were collected. Specific antibody of the IgM class (anti-IgM) against Rubella, Measles, Dengue types 1-4 and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were measured by immunoenzymatic assay (EIA). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies were measured by immunofluorescence. Results: An etiologic agent was detected in 208 cases (77.9%). Cases due to Dengue (40,6%) and Rubella (21%) viruses predominated, but the frequency of other agents was also high in specific age groups. The agreement between the clinical suspicion and the laboratory findings varied broadly, from a 100% for suspected Dengue to just a 14,8% for cases of suspected CMV infection. Conclusions: Dengue was the most common viral exanthematic disease in the Zulia State during 1998.