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

oleh: S. Senarathne, S. Rajapakse, H. J. de Silva, S. Seneviratne, P. Chulasiri, D. Fernando

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology 2023-10-01

Deskripsi

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.