Publication: Co-infection of COVID-19 with Malaria and Dengue -A Hospital based Study in Kathmandu, Nepal
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
In tropical countries like Nepal, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded within a population
already grappling with various tropical infectious diseases. Co-infection with malaria
and dengue holds clinical significance when managing COVID-19 patients in regions
endemic to these diseases.
Objective
To identify malaria and dengue infections in febrile or symptomatic patients suspected
of COVID-19 at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Kathmandu.
Method
Over two months, a prospective study was conducted on febrile or symptomatic
patients suspected of COVID-19 visiting Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease
Hospital, Kathmandu. One hundred and twenty-three patients suspected of
COVID-19 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 through RT-PCR as well as for malaria and
dengue infection using rapid diagnostic test kits.
Result
Out of 123 patients suspected of COVID-19, 64 were confirmed to have COVID-19. No
evidence of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria co-infection was found among the 123 tested
patients. However, two patients admitted for COVID-19 tested positive for dengue
virus infection. The patients with co-infections with dengue or scrub typhus were
likely to have a longer hospital stays (OR 2.5; 95% CI: 0.22-29.26), though lacking a
significant association.
Conclusion
The two patients diagnosed with dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 were identified
during their hospital visit and both recovered after receiving treatment. Given that
COVID-19 patients manifest symptoms resembling many tropical infectious diseases,
the study underscores the clinical importance of testing for multiple circulating
infections in patients from endemic areas. This approach ensures appropriate and
timely management reducing the risk of severity or mortality.
KEY WORDS
Co-infection, COVID-19, Dengue, Malaria, Nepal
Description
Bajracharya B,1 Shrestha P,1 Shrestha D,1 Karna AK,1 Mahato RK,2 Shrestha S,3 Baral B,3 Bhandari P,4 Sah P,5 Bastola A,6 Pandey BD7
1Center for Health and Disease Studies-Nepal
Sankhamul, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD)
Department of Health Services, Teku, Kathmandu
3Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital
Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal
4National Public Health Laboratory, Teku, Nepal
5Sushil Koirala Prakhar Cancer Hospital, Khajura
Banke, Nepal
6Curative Service Division (CSD)
Department of Health Services
Ministry of Health and Population
7DEJIMA Infectious Disease Research Alliance
(DIDA), Vaccine Research Development Center
(VRDC) Nagasaki University, 852-8523 1-12-4
Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
Keywords
Co-infection, COVID-19, Dengue, Malaria, Nepal