Paper I
Question
(A): Dengue hemorrhagic fever causes thrombocytopenia (R): Increase in immune destruction of platelets
Answer
Correct answer: a) Both A & R are correct and R is the reason for A
Both statements are correct, and R is the reason for A. Dengue haemorrhagic fever produces marked thrombocytopenia, contributed to significantly by immune-mediated platelet destruction — cross-reactive antibodies generated against dengue viral antigens (particularly NS1) bind to platelet surface proteins, leading to their clearance by the reticuloendothelial system, in addition to some degree of bone marrow suppression and platelet consumption.