Dengue Co-infections-An Emerging Entity during the Outbreak

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• ascariasis
• aspergillus pneumonia
• bacterial infections
• scrub typhus
• viral infections