Prior Dengue Infection Can Double Covid-19 Risk: Study
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 19, 2021 | 06:46 PM
People who have had dengue in the past are twice as likely to develop symptoms of Covid-19 if they are infected by coronavirus, finds a new study
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :People who have had dengue in the past are twice as likely to develop symptoms of Covid-19 if they are infected by coronavirus, finds a new study.
The study, led by University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, detected the presence of antibodies against dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples from 1,285 inhabitants of Mancio Lima, a small town in the state of Acre, part of Brazil's Amazon region.
"Our results show that the populations most exposed to dengue, possibly owing to socio-demographic factors, are precisely those that most risk falling very sick if they're infected by SARS-CoV-2. This is an example of what has been called a syndemic (synergic interaction between two epidemic diseases so that one exacerbates the effects of the other)," principal investigator Marcelo Urbano Ferreira, Professor at the varsity's Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB-USP) said.
"On one hand, Covid-19 has hindered efforts to control dengue. On the other hand, the latter appears to increase the risk for those who contract the former," Ferreira added.
There may be a biological basis for the phenomenon, in the sense that antibodies against dengue virus somehow exacerbate Covid-19, or it may simply be due to socio-demographic factors that make certain population groups more vulnerable to both diseases for various reasons, according to the researcher published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
"The results evidence the importance of reinforcing both the social distancing measures introduced to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and efforts to control the dengue vector, as the two epidemics are occurring at the same time and affecting the same vulnerable population. This should be getting more attention from the Federal government," Ferreira said.
The blood samples analysed for the study had been collected in November 2019 and November 2020. They were submitted to tests capable of detecting antibodies against all four dengue serotypes and against SARS-CoV-2, The Medical Daily reported .
The results showed that 37 per cent of the people had contracted dengue before November 2019 and 35 per cent had been infected by coronavirus before November 2020. Clinical data (symptoms and outcomes) of the volunteers diagnosed with Covid-19 were also analysed.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
May 9 culprits must be brought to logical end: Hanif Abbasi
Sanchez escapes through dust and gravel for nervy Giro triumph
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to condemn May 9 attacks
Spain govt vows to block hostile BBVA bid for rival bank
NADRA holds open court to resolve public issues in Quetta
In south Brazil, race on to deliver aid ahead of new storms
Appeals against cipher case verdict adjourned till May 15
PIPS collaborates with CfP to enhance technological, educational infrastructure
China launches new satellite
Incidents of misbehavior with patrolling officers are unacceptable: IG NH&MP
Police arrests drug supplier, recover mainpuri
More Stories From Pakistan
-
May 9 culprits must be brought to logical end: Hanif Abbasi
7 minutes ago -
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to condemn May 9 attacks
10 minutes ago -
NADRA holds open court to resolve public issues in Quetta
10 minutes ago -
Appeals against cipher case verdict adjourned till May 15
10 minutes ago -
China launches new satellite
10 minutes ago -
Incidents of misbehavior with patrolling officers are unacceptable: IG NH&MP
10 minutes ago
-
Police arrests drug supplier, recover mainpuri
10 minutes ago -
Sindh Assembly adopts unanimous resolution to condemn May 9 incident
10 minutes ago -
Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani condemns May 9 incident
39 minutes ago -
PTI founder Imran Khan globally famous leader: Alvi
1 hour ago -
Perpetrators of May 9 incidents to be brought to justice: PM
1 hour ago -
Samina Rahmat Manal's poetry collection "Mohabbat Fatih-e-Alam" launched
1 hour ago