Clinical Manifestations of Vivax Malaria Diagnosed Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In this study, we analyzed clinical manifestations of and ways to manage malaria. METHODS: The medical records of the patients confirmed as malaria by using peripheral blood smear at Ui jungbu St. Mary's hospital from April 1997 to November 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 170 patients, there were 111 males and 59 females, and their mean ages were 32.3+/-14.5, 34.9+/-18.1 years, respectively. Malaria occurred throughout the year and peaked during the sixth to ninth months (84.1%). All cases were vivax malaria. All 170 patients had fever, but tertian fever was seen in only 81 (48%) patients. Laboratory abnormalities were hemoglobin below 12 g/dL in 70 (41.2%) patients, WBC below 4000/mm3 in 49 (28.9%), platelet count below 120,000/mm3 in 142(83.5%). Of the 92 patients who underwent ultrasonography of the abdomen, splenomegaly was seen in 81 (89%)patients. The time from onset of symptoms to admission ranged from 2 to 30 days with a mean 8.1+/-5.5 days. All patients responded promptly to drug therapy. One patient developed recurrent malaria 120 days after the first attack. Another patient experienced multifocal splenic infarction. CONCLUSION: All patients with malaria had fever and chills. The most common laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia and anemia. All patients responded promptly to drug therapy. As cases of malaria in Korea are increasing, early diagnosis and treatment, as well as prevention, are important.