Vivax Malaria: Not Always Benign

Among vivax malaria patients in coastal Peru in 2008–2009, 0.4% were critically ill — more than half of them with severe anemia.

Several studies have documented that Plasmodium vivax can cause life-threatening illness. In a retrospective, case-control study in a coastal area of Peru where only vivax malaria is endemic, investigators evaluated the records of patients hospitalized with malaria at the area referral center between January 2008 and December 2009.

Patients who met at least one WHO criterion for severe malaria (severe anemia, lung injury, shock, renal failure, cerebral malaria) were considered for inclusion. Those with comorbidities, including HIV infection, were excluded. For each case-patient, the researchers selected four controls — patients with uncomplicated vivax malaria who were treated at local health clinics.

In the study area, 6502 cases of malaria …

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Vivax Malaria: Not Always Benign

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Reviewing Author