Malaria and filaria co-infection in a febrile patient

Malaria and filariasis are mosquito-borne diseases caused by protozoal and nematode parasites, respectively. Despite different vectors, they can occur together under suitable conditions in endemic regions. In our case, microfilariae were incidentally discovered during a blood film examination for malaria. Accurate detection of microfilariae, especially in cases of low parasitemia, requires multiple blood smears and consideration of <i>Wuchereria bancrofti</i>'s nocturnal periodicity, with blood collection ideally performed at night when parasitemia levels are highest. The presence of eosinophilia in our patient suggested a non-malarial parasitic infection, as eosinophilia is relatively uncommon in acute malaria. Our case highlights the need for a broad differential diagnosis, particularly in regions where both diseases are endemic and emphasise the value of detailed peripheral smear examinations to detect parasitic co-infections. Proper identification is essential for guiding tailored treatments in such complex cases.