Heavy proteinuria following dengue hemorrhagic fever

Abstract

We report a case of nephrotic range proteinuria with 24-hour urine protein level of 335.7 mg/kg/day which developed following dengue hemorrhagic fever. Due to prolonged hypoalbuminemia from renal loss, right pleural effusion persisted and required pleuracentesis. The patient did not have classical nephrotic syndrome. The proteinuria improved without specific treatment. A renal biopsy was not performed due to self-resolution of the proteinuria and azotemia. Heavy proteinuria is not a typical characteristic of dengue virus infection, therefore the pathophysiology of this nephropathy has not been well described to date.