Comparison of clinical course, Laboratory Profile, severity and outcome of co-infection with mono-infection of malaria and dengue

Abstract

Introduction:Dengue and malaria both vector-borne diseases are prevalent in many areas of the world as well as in India.Co-infection of malaria & dengue is not very common.The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical course, laboratory features, severity and outcome of co-infection with mono-infection of malaria and dengue.Materials and Methods: A total of 160 consenting consecutive patients were included in the study, who were either males or females older than 14 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of malaria and dengue. Patients in whom Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax malaria was diagnosed on peripheral smear or test positive for antigen; dengue was diagnosed by test positive for NS1 antigen, positive IgM or PCR. The P value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Result: Consequently, 160 patients were enrolled in this study in which 2 were excluded. Among the 160 patients, 107 (66.9%) were males and 53 (33.1%) were females.. The mean age was 36.2 years. Among the 158 febrile cases included, 78 (49.4%) were dengue, 65(41.1%) were diagnosed with malaria and 15 (9.5%)with co-infection.Conclusion: we observed that haematological profile can be helpful in predicting the need for ICU care and mortality. Hemoconcentration among patients with dengue fever is not a frequent presentation though its presence may favour the diagnosis of Dengue.