Syndemic Challenges of Malaria and COVID-19 and Reported Coinfection of Both: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Background: Malaria poses a burden in the healthcare system worldwide. India is marching toward a vision of malaria-free country by 2027 and elimination by 2023. The National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-2022) was formulated based on this. Pregnant population is highly susceptible to the infection because of the changes in their immune system. These high-risk groups are of much concern because it contributes to the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Intrauterine growth restrictions, miscarriages, preterm births, low birth weight, congenital infections, and perinatal deaths have been reported in pregnancies infected with malaria. The ongoing pandemic situation of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has created a challenge in identifying the spectrum of diseases with similar presentation like malaria especially in endemic areas. Case description: We present a series of 10 cases affected with malaria during pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. The study was conducted for a period of 10 months from September 2020 to July 2021 during the COVID pandemic. Out of these 10 patients, 3 patients were infected with COVID-19. Discussion: Clinical manifestations, management, and the maternal and fetal outcome of malaria-infected patients and difficulty in identifying and managing the cases in ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. Conclusion:The purpose of this study is to throw knowledge about identifying the infection during pandemic and the need for effective management as malaria is a preventable and curable infection.