Successful Treatment of Severe Falciparum Malaria With Adjunctive Use of Exchange Transfusion

Authors

  • Naif AlJohani Department of Medicine QE II Health Sciences Centre
  • Ian Davis Division of Infectious Diseases QE II Health Sciences Centre

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol39No2.3742

Abstract

Although malaria is no longer endemic in Canada, it remains an important imported disease, principally among immigrants and travellers. The role of exchange transfusion in malaria treatment, in addition to standard anti-malarial treatment, remains controversial and is not well established. We report a case of severe malaria in a male traveller, complicated by multiorgan failure, septic shock, myositis, and unusual Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. Manual exchange transfusion was used, in addition to artesunate-based therapy, and the patient responded well.
This report shows that malaria remains an important differential diagnosis for travellers returning with fever and emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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Published

2013-11-06

How to Cite

AlJohani, N., & Davis, I. (2013). Successful Treatment of Severe Falciparum Malaria With Adjunctive Use of Exchange Transfusion. DALHOUSIE MEDICAL JOURNAL, 39(2). https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol39No2.3742

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Case Report

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