A clinical investigation conducted in Colombia and published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the official journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has identified a connection between low vitamin D levels and increased severity of dengue infection. This finding is particularly relevant for India, where both dengue fever and vitamin D deficiency are prevalent.
Dengue continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India, especially during the monsoon season, when hospitals report a surge in patients exhibiting high fever, reduced platelet counts, and bleeding complications. While many patients recover with supportive treatment, a notable number experience rapid health deterioration, and predicting the progression of the disease remains challenging.
As per a report in TOI, the Colombian study involved analyzing blood samples from nearly 100 patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue, categorized according to disease severity, alongside samples from healthy controls. Researchers measured serum vitamin D concentrations and levels of miRNA-155, a molecule that regulates immune and inflammatory responses. Results showed that patients with milder forms of dengue had higher vitamin D levels, whereas those with warning signs or severe disease exhibited significant vitamin D deficiency.
Additionally, miRNA-155 levels increased progressively with disease severity, suggesting an amplified immune response. The study also demonstrated an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, both associated with severe dengue and complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Dr. R. Goswami, professor of endocrinology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, noted that the study reinforces previous evidence linking low vitamin D to severe dengue, particularly dengue hemorrhagic fever. He highlighted the potential involvement of microRNA-155 in immune dysregulation through Th1 and Th2 pathways and recommended maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
Indian clinicians have observed similar patterns. Dr. Pankaj Soni, principal director of internal medicine at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, stated that low vitamin D is linked to bleeding and complications, potentially exacerbating inflammation and viral replication. He described vitamin D deficiency as a modifiable risk factor rather than a treatment. Dr. Atul Gogia, head of infectious diseases at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, explained that severe dengue is often driven by a cytokine storm and suggested that correcting vitamin D deficiency might help reduce complications, though he emphasized the need for larger, well-controlled studies.
India continues to experience a substantial dengue burden, with approximately 113,000 cases and 95 deaths reported up to November 2025, and even higher figures during peak years such as 2023. Concurrently, national data indicate that vitamin D deficiency affects a large portion of the Indian population across various age and income groups. Experts advise against self-medication but emphasize that this study underscores the importance of India-specific research to determine whether addressing widespread vitamin D deficiency could aid in early identification of high-risk patients and decrease dengue-related complications.
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