Changing spectrum of complications in plasmodium vivax malaria.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To study the incidence and outcome of complications in Plasmodium vivax. Material and methods: An analysis of smear positive Plasmodium vivax patients admitted to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad from July2007 to September 2007 was done. Results: There were 118 cases of malaria Plasmodium vivax only in 23 cases (19.4%), 1 was mixed infection and 94 were Plasmodium falciparum only. Out of the 23 vivax cases , thrombocytopenia was seen in 22 cases (95.6%), hepatitis and jaundice seen in 7 cases (30.4%), and acute renal failure in 5 (21.7%). Death occurred in 2 (8.6%) and 20 (86.9%) patients recovered. The study included 19 adult patients and 4 pediatric cases. Conclusions: Plasmodium vivax can cause thrombocytopenia , jaundice, acute renal failure all of which occurs more commonly in Plasmodium falciparum. The study intends to highlight that Plasmodium vivax can also cause grave systemic complications but prognosis is favorable if early referral and timely supportive treatment is given.