[Is dengue and COVID-19 coinfection or misdiagnosis possible? A review on reported cases]

Abstract

Background: Novel coronavirus has continued to spread throughout the world where there are other endemic diseases that have been a burden to public health for many years. As any infection, it was expected there could be coinfection between these. Tropical and subtropical countries are currently managing with dengue as peaks increase with shorter periods of time.

Aim: To summarize the evidence that exists in the co-infection related to SARS-CoV-2 and the dengue virus.

Method: We conducted a narrative review in data bases about reports of coinfection and misdiagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus given the fact that rainy season every year increase the prevalence of viral infections in endemic countries. Recent reports have even described positive cases in one of these infections that later resulted in false positive. A positive test for COVID-19 or dengue fever in endemic areas should not exclude the other infection.

Conclusion: From now on, these two should be considered as a differential diagnosis and this should raise public health concern for COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in endemic countries to reinforce promotion and prevention to communities to prevent these diseases.