Transfusion-Induced Falciparum Malaria

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> The increased incidence of malaria in the United States is largely attributable to returning war veterans from South Vietnam. Transfusion-induced malaria has also increased. Transfusion-induced falciparum malaria observed in an anephric patient receiving long-term hemodialysis illustrates the possibility of transmission of falciparum malaria from an asymptomatic donor, with no history of malaria, who had last been in a malarious area one year prior to blood donation. <h3>Report of a Case.—</h3> A 34-year-old white man in renal failure had been receiving hemodialysis for five years. Bilateral nephrectomy had been performed three years previously for control of hypertension. On Nov 5, 1970, six days after his last monthly transfusion, fever, chills, malaise, and headache began. Another eight days later, the 48-hour periodicity of his temperature elevations was noted. A peripheral blood smear revealed ring forms of<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>in less than 1% of the red blood cells (RBC) (Fig