Several theories seek to explain the pathogenesis including the ‘immune enhancement hypothesis’
and the ‘selection pressure hypothesis’.The immune enhancement hypothesis posits that
patients with a second infection with a heterologous dengue serotype have a higher risk of developing severe dengue.The existing heterologous dengue antibody recognises the invading virus and establishes an antigen–antibody complex, which binds to the Fc receptor on the cell membrane of leukocytes.The virus freely replicates through antibody dependent enhancement.Anti-dengue virus antibodies cross-react with platelets, clotting factors and endothelial cells in humans.
Anti-NS1 antibodies induce apoptosis in endothelial cells and increase vascular permeability, leading
to hypovolaemia and shock. The selection pressure hypothesis claims that dengue virus varies and
mutates as a result of selection pressure as it replicates in humans and/or mosquitoes.Some virus
strains also have greater epidemic potential.The mechanisms leading to severe illness are not
well defined but the immune response, the genetic background of the individual and the virus characteristics may all contribute to the development of severe dengue. A transient and reversible imbalance of inflammatory mediators, cytokines and chemokines occurs during severe dengue, probably driven by a high early viral burden, and leads to dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells, derangement of the coagulation system resulting in plasma leakage,shock and bleeding. Re-infection causes more severe disease and it is suggested that a host immunologically primed by one of the three other types of dengue virus might mount an immunological response which is more florid leading to severe dengue and complications.A low incidence of dengue fever in travellers in
comparison to the population in endemic areas has been reported, most likely because of the absence of pre-existing antibodies given the traveller’s lack of previous exposure. However, a secondary response may not be the sole risk factor for moresevere disease.