Why is liver affected in dengue?

The liver is one of the organs that is often affected by dengue virus infection. There are several mechanisms by which dengue virus can cause damage to the liver:

1.Direct infection: The dengue virus can directly infect liver cells, known as hepatocytes, leading to inflammation and cell damage. This infection can cause liver cell death, disruption of liver function, and release of liver enzymes into the bloodstream, leading to elevated liver enzyme levels.

2.Immune response: The body's immune response to dengue virus infection can also contribute to liver damage. When the immune system mounts a response against the virus, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are released, which can cause inflammation in the liver. This inflammation can lead to liver cell damage and impairment of liver function.

3.Microcirculation disturbances: Dengue virus infection can affect the microcirculation, the small blood vessels within the liver. This can lead to congestion and impaired blood flow to the liver, resulting in reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to liver cells. This can further contribute to liver damage and dysfunction.

4.Secondary infections: Dengue virus infection can also increase the risk of secondary bacterial or parasitic infections, such as leptospirosis or typhoid fever. These secondary infections can further complicate liver involvement and contribute to liver damage.

The extent of liver damage in dengue infection can vary from mild to severe. In most cases, the liver damage is transient, and liver function usually returns to normal after recovery from the infection. However, in severe cases, liver failure and encephalopathy can develop, which can be life-threatening.