Plasmodium Vivax Malaria; Not so Innocent!

Abstract

Plasmodium Vivax Malaria is one of the prevalent causes of Acute febrile illness in India. It is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Though considered a relatively less aggressive malaria in the past, it is increasingly noticed to have many serious complications like that of Falciparum malaria. We studied the complications in 50 Plasmodium vivax admitted cases. Vivax malaria was diagnosed in a patient suffering from acute fever of less than 7 days and showed plasmodium vivax malaria parasite in the peripheral smear and/or was positive for vivax malaria by rapid malarial test. We conclude that complications like cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, hypoglycemia, anaemia and thrombocytopenia can occur in Vivax malaria as well. 56% of patients had platelet count of less than 75000 cells/microlit while only one patient had a platelet count of less than 25000 cells/microlit. Recognising and initiating early treatment of these complications can reduce the mortality and morbidity in these patients. Vivax malaria may also need treatment by artesunate as like falciparum malaria.