SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue Virus Coinfection in An Adult with Heterozygous Beta Thalassemia: A Case Report from Bangladesh with Literature Review

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.