Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Coinfections are common in pandemics, however not in recorded patients with hemoglobinopathies. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic struck Bangladesh at the beginning of March 2020, which is also an apt period for endemic Dengue fever in this monsoon region.

CASE REPORT

We report a 30-year-old man with hemoglobinopathies coinfected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Dengue virus. Dengue virus was detected by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). COVID-19 was confirmed by Reverse-transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Hemoglobin Electrophoresis revealed heterozygous beta-thalassemia or thalassemia trait. The patient was treated successfully at Dhaka Hospital in icddr,b during COVID-19 emergency response with symptomatic supportive treatment for COVID-19 and appropriate fluid therapy for dengue fever in response to daily hematocrit level. The patient's repeated RT-PCR for COVID-19 on day-21 became negative. For thalassemia, the patient was advised to have genetic counseling and family screening on discharge.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of coinfection between COVID-19 and Dengue fever may be considered in a COVID-19 patient with unremitting fever especially in an area where Dengue fever is epidemic that may further help to attain appropriate management of the patient.

MeSH

Hemoglobins, Sars-Cov-2, Beta-Thalassemia, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Coinfection, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Thalassemia, Covid-19, Viruses, Dengue, Pandemics, Therapeutics, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Dengue Virus, Hemoglobinopathies

Cited by

• SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue Virus Coinfection in a Mexican Pediatric Patient: A Case Report from Early Molecular Diagnosis. Pathogens, 2022