Case Report: Managing the Coinfection of Cerebral Malaria and Dengue in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Dengue and malaria are the two most common arthropod-borne illnesses, but cases of multiple infections are extremely uncommon. The mortality rate for individuals with dengue and malaria was higher than the death rate for those with malaria alone.

Case: An intubated 53-year-old male was referred from a class B hospital because of severe malaria with suspected cerebral malaria, dengue fever (day-11), septic shock and acute kidney injury. His initial laboratory investigation showed increasing pattern of WBC, thrombocyte, anemia, peripheral blood smear normochromic normocytic erythrocyte, poikilocytosis (ovalocytes (+), teardrop cells (+)), normoblasts (+), presence of Plasmodium malariae trophozoite and schizont stage parasites, positive result of IgM and IgG anti dengue, increased liver function test, increased BUN and creatinine serum levels, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and normal result of blood gas analysis. On the sixth day of ICU admission, the patient gradually regained consciousness with appropriate responsiveness and showed clinical improvement. The patient was discharged after one month of hospital care with the last peripheral blood smear showing no parasites detected.

Discussion: Mono-infection with malaria and dengue, two mosquito-borne diseases endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, often carries a high risk of fatality. The risk becomes even more pronounced when co-infection occurs. The early diagnosis and management in the ICU are crucial for cases of coinfection involving cerebral malaria and dengue. The primary focus is on both definitive and supportive therapies.

Conclusion: The prognosis for coinfection of cerebral malaria and dengue is generally poor, but in this case, the patient showed improvement and was able to be discharged without any sequelae.