Manifestation and outcome of concurrent malaria and dengue infection

Studies on concurrent infection of dengue and malaria are uncommon in India. Therefore, in this study, we compared the clinical features and outcome of concurrent infection with mono-infection of dengue and malaria.

All the patients of fever within 7 days duration were investigated for dengue, malaria and other causes of fever. Patients of concurrent dengue and malaria (Group A) were compared with dengue mono-infection (Group B) and malaria mono-infection (Group C). Biochemical and haematological investigations were done and compared.

During the study period 367 patients of dengue were admitted. Concurrent infection of dengue and malaria was found in 27 (7.4%) patients. There were 27 (5.8), 340 (72.5), and 102 (21.7%) patients in Groups A, B, and C respectively. The clinical features of concurrent infection were more like dengue than malaria. Unlike malaria the outcome of concurrent infection is good.

Concurrent infection of dengue and malaria is not uncommon. For the diagnosis investigations for both the infections should be carried out routinely.