Aspergillus coinfection in critically Ill patients with severe dengue

J Infect Public Health. 2023 Dec;16(12):1893-1897. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.09.008. Epub 2023 Sep 22.

Abstract

In 2014-2015, a significant outbreak of dengue fever occurred in southern Taiwan, with a subsequent decline in dengue incidence. Despite this, there is emerging concern about virus-associated aspergillosis, yet limited research has explored coinfections involving dengue and aspergillosis. We conducted a retrospective study at a single center in Southern Taiwan, specifically focusing on dengue patients admitted to the intensive care unit during the period between July and November 2015. Among the 142 dengue patients studied, only 8.06 % (10/142) underwent serum galactomannan testing, with a single patient undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) galactomannan assay. Out of those tested, 20 % (2/10) returned positive serum galactomannan results. Herein, we present two consecutive cases of coinfection involving dengue and pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Coinfection; Dengue; Virus-associated fungal disease.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis*
  • Aspergillus
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Coinfection* / complications
  • Coinfection* / epidemiology
  • Critical Illness
  • Humans
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / complications
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / diagnosis
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severe Dengue*