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Case Reports
. 2020 Nov 9;14(11):e0008853.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008853. eCollection 2020 Nov.

COVID-19 unfolding filariasis: The first case of SARS-CoV-2 and Wuchereria bancrofti coinfection

Mouhand F H Mohamed  1 , Sara F Mohamed  1 , Zohaib Yousaf  1 , Samah Kohla  2 , Faraj Howady  1 , Yahia Imam  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

COVID-19 unfolding filariasis: The first case of SARS-CoV-2 and Wuchereria bancrofti coinfection

Mouhand F H Mohamed et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

With the evolution of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of patients brought to medical attention has increased. This has led to the unmasking of many coexisting occult infections and comorbidities such as tuberculosis, dengue, human immunodeficiency viral infection, diabetes, and hypertension. We report the first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, unveiling the diagnosis of asymptomatic filariasis. A 37-year-old gentleman presented with shortness of breath, fever, and cough. He was found to have COVID-19 pneumonia. During his stay, microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti was detected incidentally on a blood smear exam. Consequently, the patient received appropriate treatment for both conditions. In order not to miss relevant concomitant diagnoses, it is prudent to keep a broad differential diagnosis when faced with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients; this is especially true when atypical symptoms are present or in areas endemic with other infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Microphotographs of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria in a peripheral blood smear.
Thin blood film Giemsa stain, 100×. (A) Full-size microfilaria × 10 (B) head, body, and tail details. (C) Body and tail details.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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