Abstract:
Plasmodium vivaxis the most widely
distributed human malarial parasite with risk population of 2.5
billion persons. Pl. vivaxmono infection could also result in
multiple organ dysfunction and severe life-threatening disease as
seen in P.falciparum infection. 1,2 We describe here the clinical
profile of patients with severe vivax malaria.
Method and Material: We recruited 95 patients fulfilling
the criteria for severe malaria during the study period from June
2011 to May 2012. Detailed history, clinical examination, routine
hematological and biochemical investigations were done. The
end points were discharge from wards or death.
Results: We had 95 patients with severe malaria of which
50 (52.6%) patients had severe vivax and 45 (47.3%) had severe
falciparum malaria. Amongst vivax group 29(58 %) were males
and 21(42 %) females. Thrombocytopenia 24(48%) was the most
common complication followed by renal (46%), hepatic (42%)
cerebral (16%) and pulmonary (4%) involvement. Most patients
were in the age group of 15-35 years and mortality increased
with increasing age. The mortality observed in severe vivax
malaria was 12% (6).
Conclusions: Severe vivax malaria is now very common
with increasing mortality. The mortality in vivax malaria
increases with increasing age. Thrombocytopenia is very
common in severe vivax infection.
