COVID-19 and Malaria Co-infection; Same coin but different faces?

Abstract

\n Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly around the world, urgent action is needed to combat the new coronavirus, while other deadly diseases such as malaria cannot be ignored. The impact of the coronavirus on countries affected by malaria and, where possible, contribute to a successful response to COVID19. Our aim is to assess the possible link between Malaria and COVID-19 .Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective cross sectional study which was conducted among adult Sudanese COVID-19 patients admitted to the Universal and Ombada hospitals in the period (4th of April 2020 to the 15th of January, 2020). A total number of 87 patients were included. Results: Among the 87 patients 64.9 % were males while 35.6 were females. 27.6 % had a positive blood film. 64.7% of the malaria patients had p.falciparum while 35.3% had p.vivax. 52.9% of the patients showed positive RT-PCR for COVID-19 with 52.9 % showed positive CT findings . Generalized fatigability was observed in 52.9 % of the patients with malaria followed by headache, nausea, fever with chills, fever with shivering, vomiting and diarrhea in 42.5%, 36.8%, 20.7%, 12.6%, 9.2% and 9.2% respectively. In COVID-19 patients 85.1% had fever and generalized fatigability, followed by cough, headache, SOB , sore throat ,myalgia, chest pain and diarrhea. 13.79 % of malaria patients had malarial pneumonitis, followed by pulmonary edema, choleric malaria, thrombocytopenia and malaria induced hepatitis in 10.39 %, 9.2 %, 9.19 % and 6.9% respectively. 8.4% had cerebral malaria while 1.1% had cerebellar syndromes. 44.8 % had acute respiratory distress syndrome, 17.2% had heart failure, 8% had pulmonary embolism, 8% had stroke, 3.9% had encephalitis and 1.1% had convulsions.Conclusion: Malaria and COVID-19 have a possible link that they both share similar presentations and complications.