Challenges of Severe Malaria Management in Patient Returning from Jayapura, Indonesia Presented with Severe Anemia: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a 55-year-old woman who presented to the hospital with intermittent fever for a month. The patient had a history of living in a malaria endemic area (Jayapura, Papua Province, Indonesia) for approximately 15 years. The hemoglobin level was very low (4.2 mg/dL). Furthermore, we conducted a follow-up supporting examination, Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), the result was positive for malaria tropica (Plasmodium falciparum). Blood smear test was also carried out to confirm the diagnosis, the result was that immature trophozoites (ring shape) were found. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with severe malaria tropica with clinical manifestations indicative of severe anemia. The patient was treated for 3 days with anti-malarial drugs and supportive drugs according to the symptoms in the hospital and was advised to follow up 7 days later. This case report describe the challenges of severe malaria management in patient returning from Jayapura with severe anemia.