Co-Infection of Plasmodium Vivax and Falciparum Malaria in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bihar

Abstract

BACKGROUNDMalaria is probably one of the oldest diseases known to mankind that has had profound impact on our history. It continues to be a huge social, economic and health problem, particularly in the tropical countries. Studies on malaria due to co-existent P. falciparum and P. vivax infections are negligible in India. Therefore, this study was undertaken to find out the clinical profile, prognostic factors and outcome of mixed-species malaria and to compare it with P. falciparum malaria. MATERIALS AND METHODSA descriptive study was carried out on 100 patients of malaria admitted in Department of Medicine, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, a tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to August 2017. RESULTSOut of 100 cases, 5 cases have both falciparum and vivax co-infection in infective positive cases. In 68 cases P. falciparum were positive and 27 were P. vivax positive. CONCLUSIONCo-infection is not uncommon in the locality, where both species coexists. Co-infection can complicate with severe malaria. However, its incidence and severity is less than severe falciparum malaria. In mixed infection, P. vivax malaria has a protective effect against the severity of falciparum malaria.