Acute abdomen in malaria

This is a study of seven cases [11%] of acute mesenteric ischaemia presenting as acute abdomen in a cohart of 60, of blood smear proven Malaria. Their presentation, diagnosis and management were recorded. Pathophysiology of occlusion of mesenteric vessels and the uncommon presentations of gut ischaemia due to malaria are discussed. In conclusion patients with short history of high grade fever followed by abdominal pain, malaria should be considered in the differential diagnosis