Malaria and COVID-19 coinfection in a non-malaria-endemic area in Brazil

Differential diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from other febrile diseases is one of several challenges imposed by the pandemic. We present a case of severe malaria and COVID-19 coinfection in a non-malaria-endemic region. A 44-year-old female with malaise, fever, hypotension, jaundice, and enlarged liver and spleen was admitted to the intensive care unit. Reverse transcriptionquantitative PCR results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were positive. Rapid tests, microscopy, and quantitative PCR were positive for Plasmodium vivax. Cytokine storm profiles were identified. We could not determine whether the severe vivax malaria in our patient was triggered by COVID-19 coinfection.

Automated summary

Coinfection of severe malaria and COVID-19 was observed in a non-malaria-endemic region, posing challenges in differential diagnosis. A female patient, aged 44, presented with malaise, fever, hypotension, jaundice, and enlarged liver and spleen. COVID-19 coinfection was confirmed by positive reverse transcription-quantitative PCR results, while Plasmodium vivax infection was confirmed by positive rapid tests, microscopy, and quantitative PCR.