SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue Virus Coinfection in An Adult with Heterozygous Beta Thalassemia: A Case Report from Bangladesh with Literature Review
18 Pages Posted: 22 Feb 2021
Date Written: July 15, 2020
Abstract
Introduction: Coinfections are common in pandemics, but not in recorded patients with structural hemoglobin abnormalities. The 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 SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue virus. Dengue virus was detected by ELISA. COVID-19 was confirmed by RT-PCR and Hemoglobin Electrophoresis revealed heterozygous beta-thalassemia. 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. After 21 day, the patient’s RT-PCR for COVID-19 became negative. For thalassemia, the patient was advised to have genetic counseling and family screening on discharge.
Conclusion: The possibility of coinfection should be considered during the Dengue fever epidemic along with the confirmatory tests for COVID-19, when any alarming signs supporting possibility of dengue fever are found in an individual. Fluid therapy for dengue fever must be maintained with utmost care to avoid adverse effect from COVID-19-Dengue coinfection and careful monitoring of oxygen saturation during the sick period of this type of case should be performed with importance.
Note: Funding: This research activity was funded by core donors who provide unrestricted support to icddr,b for its operations and research. Current donors providing unrestricted support include the Governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sweden and the UK.
Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.
Ethics Approval Statement: Informed written consent from the patient has been obtained for participation and publication.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Dengue, Beta-thalassemia, Hemoglobinopathies, Bangladesh
JEL Classification: I1, I10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation