Plasmodium Vivax Cerebral Malaria - A Rare Cause of Multi Organ Dysfunction

Abstract

Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of plasmodium falciparum infection. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by unarousable coma at least one hour after termination of seizures and asexual forms of the parasite in peripheral blood smear with no other explainable causes of coma. Usually cerebral malaria is caused by P. f alciparum, but rarely it is seen as a complication of plasmodium vivax infection. We report a case of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax complicated by seizures and multiorgan dysfunction. It was successfully treated with parenteral artesunate, mechanical ventilation and other supportive measures without any sequelae.