Ionic Disorders in Malaria and Dengue Co-Infection

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate ionic disorders in malaria and dengue co-infection at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Material and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, carried out in the laboratory of the Pediatric University Hospital Charles de Gaulle in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2019. The study was on patients who performed a thick blood drop/smear, dengue serology and blood ionogram. Results: On 1405 cases included in the study, 102 patients (7.26%) were confirmed of malaria. Dengue serology was positive in 235 patients (16.72%). The frequency of co-infection was 1.14% (n=16). The mean age of the patients was 9.93 years and the age group of 0 to 15 years represented 78.93% of the cases. There was a male predominance with a sex ratio (M/F) of 2.58. Hyponatremia (40%), hypocalcemia (40%), hypokalemia (30%) and hypophosphatemia (30%) were the main blood ionogram disturbances in malaria and dengue co-infection. The statistically significant disturbances in case of malaria and dengue co-infection were the absence of hypobicarbonatemia (p=0.036). Conclusion: Malaria and dengue are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in Burkina Faso. Although co-infection was rare in the study (1.14%), it was associated with several blood ionogram disturbances. Evaluation and consideration of these disturbances during treatment would contribute to a better care of patients.