Falciparum malaria-a review of 120 cases

ABSTRACT

Malaria affects an estimated 300 million people and causes more than a million deaths per year worldwide. Falciparum malaria has high mortality as it causes complications like cerebral malaria, renal failure and algid malaria. Increasing resistance to Chloroquine in P.falciparum has further aggravated the problem. This study comprising of 120 cases of falciparum malaria, [exclusively males], was conducted at CMH, Multan, to evaluate seasonal variation, modes of presentation, complications and response to various drugs in troops stationed at Multan, DG Khan, Muzaffargarh and adjoining area of Baluchistan. Fever was present in 100% cases, chills in 62%, vomiting in 31%, headache in 30% and diarrhea in 7% patients. Anemia was present in 13% patients, jaundice in 11%, signs of meningism in 1.6%. One patient had pulmonary edema while another one developed black water fever. Resistance to Chloroquine was observed in 33%, Fansidar in 37%, Quinine in 3%. Incidence of falciparum malaria was significantly higher among troops during the months of August to November. Quinine was the most effective drug against P. falciparum