Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients
11:05

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

[Status febrilis and unconsciousness]

M Sawatzki1, C Hatz, A Buser

  • 1Medizinische Klinik B, Universitätsspital Basel, Schweiz.

Der Internist
|January 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral malaria is typically caused by Plasmodium falciparum, but this case highlights Plasmodium vivax as a rare cause. While the patient recovered, Plasmodium vivax cerebral malaria can have severe outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Cerebral malaria is a severe neurological complication predominantly associated with Plasmodium falciparum infections.
  • Plasmodium vivax is generally considered to have a lower risk of causing severe malaria, including cerebral malaria.
  • Understanding the spectrum of Plasmodium species causing severe malaria is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

  • A rare case of cerebral malaria in an 18-year-old patient from Pakistan is presented.
  • The patient experienced several months of intermittent fever prior to presentation.
  • The cerebral malaria was attributed to Plasmodium vivax infection.

Findings:

  • This report documents an uncommon presentation of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax.
  • The patient demonstrated a favorable short-term recovery.
  • The case underscores that Plasmodium vivax can lead to severe neurological complications.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Plasmodium vivax in the differential diagnosis of cerebral malaria, especially in endemic regions.
  • The potential for severe outcomes necessitates vigilance and prompt management of Plasmodium vivax infections.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and risk factors for severe Plasmodium vivax malaria.

More Related Videos

Semi-quantitative Assessment Using [18F]FDG Tracer in Patients with Severe Brain Injury09:58

Semi-quantitative Assessment Using [18F]FDG Tracer in Patients with Severe Brain Injury

Published on: November 9, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Types of Fever01:25

Types of Fever

Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...