Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus: a clinical challenge

Abstract

Many regions of the world where dengue epidemics are seasonal are also facing the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a medical concern because both diseases are difficult to distinguish since they have similar clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, and because they have different clinical management. So far, co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus (DENV) has not been studied. Herein we report the first case of a patient with co-infection of COVID-19 and dengue. Both infections were simultaneously laboratory confirmed by positive RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 and RT-qPCR for DENV, NS1, IgM and IgG antibody tests for dengue. The patient had a favorable clinical improvement, without severe symptoms. This case emphasize that, in pandemic era, having a diagnostic of one infection does not rule out the possibility of having another infection concomitantly. In addition, underscores the importance of an accurate and timely diagnosis to prevent the spread of COVID-19.