Case Report: Dengue and COVID-19 Coinfection in Thailand.

We report a 50-year-old Thai woman with recent travel to Denmark who presented with acute high-grade fever, vomiting, and myalgia for 1 day. Initial laboratory results revealed leukopenia, elevated aspartate transaminase, and elevated alanine transaminase. Chest radiograph showed no pulmonary infiltration. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) of the nasopharyngeal swab detected SARS-CoV-2, and RT-PCR of the blood detected dengue virus serotype 2. COVID-19 with dengue fever co-infection was diagnosed. Her symptoms were improved with supportive treatment. Integration of clinical manifestations, history of exposure, laboratory profiles, and dynamic of disease progression assisted the physicians in precise diagnosis. Co-circulating and nonspecific presentations of dengue infection and COVID-19 challenge the healthcare system in tropical countries. To solve this threat, multi-sector strategies are required, including public health policy, development of accurate point-of-care testing, and proper prevention for both diseases.

Low serum potassium among patients with COVID-19 in Bangkok, Thailand: Coincidence or clinically relevant?

Our cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence and clinical relevance of hypokalaemia among confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted in three hospitals in Bangkok during the early outbreak in Thailand. Of 36 patients, nine were in the hypokalaemia group (25%) and 27 in the normokalaemia group (75%). All cases were asymptomatic, and 94.4% had mild hypokalaemia. Hypokalaemia was found significantly earlier in the course of COVID-19 without evidence of significant extrarenal potassium loss. Body temperature and mean serum sodium in the hypokalaemia group tended to be higher than the normokalaemia group. Hypokalaemia and potentially higher serum sodium among COVID-19 patients were the remarkable findings. This issue warrants for further investigation.