[Co-infection of malaria and COVID-19 in patients admitted to the COVID Infectious Disease Department of the Libreville University Hospital Center].

The purpose of this study was to report the cases of co-infection of malaria and COVID-19, after systematic search for plasmodium in patients treated in the COVID Infectious Disease Department (SiCOV) of the Libreville University Hospital (LUH). We conducted a prospective, observational study in the LUH SiCOV from April to July 2020. Patients of both sexes, aged over 18 years, with positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 with thick blood smear result available, were included. For each patient, demographics (age, gender, weight, height), history and clinical and biological examination results were reported in the Excel file. Of a total of 253 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 8 had malaria associated with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR. These were women (3) and men (5), with an average age of 36.9 years (25- 53 years). The mode of transmission was unknown in 7/8. All patients were febrile, 6/8 had headaches and 5/8 had respiratory discomfort. Less than half of patients had otolaryngeal (anosmia, ageusia) or digestive (diarrhea) manifestations. One patient with severe form died on day 5 of hospitalization. Clinical similarities between malaria and COVID-19 can lead to confusion in malaria endemic areas. The co-infection of malaria and COVID-19 did not result in severe clinical forms.