Dengue Co-infections-An Emerging Entity during the Outbreak

• Main Authors: Prasan Kumar Panda, Srikant Mohta, Naveet Wig, Manish Soneja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2018-04-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: ascariasis; aspergillus pneumonia; bacterial infections; scrub typhus; viral infections
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/11385/32002_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_PF1(AJ_SL)_PFA(AJ_SL)_PB(AJ_SL)_PN(SL).pdf

Viral infections predispose a patient for super added infections and it is important to know the spectrum to suspect them. We analysed 98 cases of dengue fever who were presented at a tertiary care hospital; of which 12 were associated with co-infections. Bacterial infections were the most common type of co-infections (50%; n=6). Viral co-infections were present in 25% patients (n=3) and included hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and chikungunya. The remaining co-infections included parasitic and fungal co-infections. Severe dengue was seen in 83.3% cases (n=10). Amongst the organ involvement, the liver was maximally involved followed by deranged haematological parameters. Mortality was seen in 25% cases (n=3). Few unique co-infections caused by organisms like Ascaris and Aspergillus were identified. There is a possibility of bilateral increase in the severity of few co-infections. Prolonged fever (≥5 days) and severe organ dysfunction should alert the physician to actively look for co-infections.