Incidence of mortality due to malaria with typical and atypical presentation

Background: Malaria, despite intensive efforts to control, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. India contributes to 61 per cent of malaria cases and 41 per cent of malaria deaths in SEAR countries. The objective of the present study was to find out an incidence of mortality due to malaria with typical and atypical presentation.Methods: The present was conducted over a period of three years. During the study period 630 patients with clinical suspicion of malaria were tested for malaria using peripheral smear, QBC and RDT.Results: The mortality rate in this study group 161 (25.55%) out of which maximum mortality observed in patients with falciparum malaria either singly or with mixed infestation. There is no significant correlation between the typical and atypical presentations in the different age groups with mortality.Conclusions: For timely diagnosis and treatment a high index of suspicion for the disease should be maintained by treating physicians, especially in endemic areas. They should be aware of the varied manifestations to minimize the mortality due to malaria.

Changing clinical profile of malaria at a tertiary care hospital

Background: There is a widespread range of diverse typical and atypical manifestations of malaria. The diagnosis of malaria may escape the attention of treating physician due to its unusual and vague presentations.The morbidity and mortality due to malaria is increased due to lack of early diagnosis and right treatment. The Aim of the present study was to examine the changing clinical pattern of malaria with special attention to atypical presentations.Methods: The present study comprised of 630 cases of definitively diagnosed malaria.Diagnostic methods used were conventional thick and thin peripheral smear stained with Leishman stain and rapid malarial antigen test.Results: This study revealed atypical symptoms like lack of taste (1.3%), throat discomfort (13.33%) and cough (24.0%) and vomiting (52.4%) as presenting complaints. These were significantly more in patients with P. vivax infestations.Conclusions: A high degree of suspicion is necessary for early detection and treatment of malaria, especially of unusual presentations.