Molecular detection and epidemiological characterization of dengue and malaria coinfection in the Guiriko region, Burkina Faso.

In tropical regions, arboviruses and Plasmodium co-circulate frequently, and co-infection with these pathogens can complicate clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of arbovirus and malaria coinfection and identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with suspected dengue or malaria who presented at Centres Médicaux avec Antenne Chirurgicale (CMA) of Do (Bobo-Dioulasso) and Houndé between June and September 2023. Blood samples were collected from participants. Serum was used for dengue rapid diagnostic test and RT-PCR assays for molecular detection of dengue and chikungunya virus. Malaria diagnosis was performed through identification of Plasmodium in thick and thin blood smears by microscopy and confirmed by PCR assay using whole blood. C-reactive protein (CRP) level was measured in samples from dengue and malaria coinfection and each mono-infection group. Serology-based coinfection was considered indicative of recent/past dengue exposure, whereas RT-PCR and PCR-based detection indicated acute dengue and malaria infection. A total of 408 samples were analyzed, and the prevalence of coinfection between recent dengue infection (NS1 and/or IgM positive) and malaria (microscopy and/or PCR positive) was 17. 64% (72/408). Acute DENV (RT-PCR positive) and malaria co-infections were observed in 7.10% (29/408) of cases. Among RT-PCR positive dengue cases, coinfection with Plasmodium detected by PCR was observed in 100% (29/29), whereas 68.96% (20/29) were positive by malaria microscopy. Elevated axillary temperature and high CRP level (mean 83.79 mg/l) were associated with acute dengue and malaria coinfection. Multiplex RT-PCR improved the detection of acute dengue-malaria coinfection.