Comparative study of cerebral malaria due to plasmodium vivax and falciparum

ABSTRACT

Cerebral malaria is one of the serious complications of malaria and is not uncommon in Pakistan. It is known to be caused by plasmodium falciparum but recently world health organization [WHO] bas reported the occurrence of cerebral malaria due to plasmodium vivax also. 380 cases of cerebral malaria were collected from Jan 90 to Dec. 94 at the children hospital CMC Larkana [350 cases were found to be due to falciparum and 30 cases due to vivax]. Age of patients varied from 3 months to 10 years. In all cases Lumbar Puncture [L.P.] peripheral smear for parasitemia, blood CP and ESR was done. They were all treated with injection Quinine dihydrochloride for 5 days in addition to symptomatic and supportive care and peripheral smear for evidence of parasitaemia [NIP] was repeated every day until it became negative. Mortality rate in cases of cerebral malaria due to vivax was 3.3% as compared to II% in cerebral malaria due to falciparum. None of the survivors had any complications