The first reported case of co-infection of imported hepatitis E and <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> malaria in Sri Lanka

Global travel and tourism, especially across tropical countries, may lead to importation of malaria and other infectious diseases into Sri Lanka. This case report describes the first co-infection of imported hepatitis E and Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a tourist diagnosed in Sri Lanka. The patie...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. Senarathne, S. Rajapakse, H. J. de Silva, S. Seneviratne, P. Chulasiri, D. Fernando
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology 2023-10-01
Series:Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://account.sljid.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-sljid/article/view/8570
Description
Summary:Global travel and tourism, especially across tropical countries, may lead to importation of malaria and other infectious diseases into Sri Lanka. This case report describes the first co-infection of imported hepatitis E and Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a tourist diagnosed in Sri Lanka. The patient was initially diagnosed with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria and was started on treatment with oral Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). Deterioration of hepatic enzymes and hyperbilirubinaemia despite the rapid parasitological response to antimalarials led to further investigation and diagnosis of co-infecting hepatitis E in this patient. The importance of clinicians being vigilant on travel associated co-infections is highlighted to ensure early diagnosis and better patient management.
ISSN:2012-8169
2448-9654