RESUMO
Context: Acute febrile disease (AFI) in endemic tropical areas is a frequent reason for consulting the emergency services. Infection by 2 or more etiological agents may modify clinical and laboratory parameters, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge. Case report: We report the case of a patient who came from Africa and consults in Colombia, with AFI with thrombocytopenia that was eventually diagnosed to have concurrent infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and dengue. Conclusions: Dengue-malaria coinfection infection reports are scarce; it should be suspected in patients living or returning from areas where both diseases are endemic or during dengue outbreaks. This case serves as a reminder of this important condition that causes high morbidity and mortality if it is not early diagnosed and treated.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although uncommon, there is increasing interest and public health concerns of the pathogen Prototheca spp, a ubiquitous achlorophilic microalgae that can affect both humans and animals. High mortality rates have been reported in immunocompromised patients with disseminated infection, but no data is available in the immunocompetent population. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 59-year-old man from rural area of Colombia who was admitted to the intensive care unit due to decompensated heart failure that was difficult to medically manage, with development of septic shock and isolation of Prototheca wickerhamii from blood culture. Fluconazole and Amphotericin B were given with successful outcome. CONCLUSIONS: To date, protothecosis and its virulence factors and pathogenesis remain to be fully understood, in our case the isolation of this microalga and its implication of exacerbating chronic conditions such as heart failure is unclear. The medical-scientific community is invited to study this microorganism to determine effective management strategies, as well as its timely identification, treatment, and control, to avoid fatal outcomes.
RESUMO
Not applicable.
