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[Mental disorders in cerebral malaria].

M H Thiam¹, B M Diop, Y Dieng

¹Service de Psychiatrie, CHU de Fann, Dakar (Sénégal). fannpsy@ucad.refer.sn

Dakar Medical

|March 22, 2005

Summary

Psychiatric symptoms like confusion and hallucinations can signal cerebral malaria in young patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery and preventing misdiagnosis in malaria-endemic regions.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Infectious Diseases
Psychiatry

Background:

Cerebral malaria, a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, can present with neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
Understanding these manifestations is critical for timely diagnosis and management, especially in endemic areas.

Observation:

A study observed four inpatients (1 male, 3 females, ages 13-22) at a psychiatric department in Dakar, Senegal, with malaria.
Patients presented with mental confusion, delirium with zoopsia, visual hallucinations, and motor agitation, alongside typical malaria symptoms like fever and vomiting.

Findings:

All patients tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum, with parasite densities ranging from 2524 to 61500 parasites/mL.
No prior psychiatric history was reported. Treatment involved antimalarials combined with neuroleptics or tranquilizers.
Full recovery occurred within 12-31 days (mean 20 days), with no relapses after a year of follow-up.

Implications:

Psychiatric symptoms can be early indicators of cerebral malaria, necessitating a high index of suspicion in endemic regions.
Misdiagnosis of psychiatric disorders can delay crucial antimalarial treatment, highlighting the importance of considering infectious etiologies.

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