Handling cerebral malaria patient with limited resources: a case report

Abstract

Cerebral malaria is an emergency condition. All patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by neurological symptoms should be treated as cerebral malaria. The pathogenesis of cerebral malaria is caused by the damage of blood vessels endothelium due to parasites sequestration, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and leakage of blood vessels which can cause brain hypoxia. The proper management is needed, however this become quiet challenging issue in the setting of limited resouces. We report a case of a 35 year old patient presenting with a loss of consciousness accompanied by shivering fever for 5 days. On examination of the peripheral blood smear, the Plasmodium falciparum was found. The patient was later diagnosed as cerebral malaria and treated with anti-malarial drugs. The fifth day of treatment the patient has fully alert. In the next day, the patient was allowed to go home. The management of cerebral malaria is challenging, particularly in the area with limited resources.