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Published on: May 16, 2013
Falciparum malaria masquerading as appendicitis
Anand Kumar Bhardwaj1, P D Sharma, Akshay Sharma
1Department of Paediatrics, MM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Ambala, India. col.akbhardwaj@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|June 16, 2012
Summary
A rare case of falciparum malaria in a child mimicked acute appendicitis in India. The condition, unresponsive to artemether, highlighted potential drug resistance and the need for high clinical suspicion for malaria diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Falciparum malaria is a severe, multi-organ disease with high incidence in India.
- Varied clinical presentations can complicate malaria diagnosis, necessitating physician vigilance.
- Emerging drug resistance in malaria poses a significant public health challenge.
Observation:
- An unusual pediatric case presented with symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis.
- The patient underwent surgery, revealing an inflamed appendix.
- Postoperative complications included symptoms suggestive of acute renal failure.
Findings:
- The case demonstrated falciparum malaria presenting atypically as acute appendicitis.
- Lack of response to artemether therapy indicated potential artemisinin resistance.
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment contributed to a complicated clinical course.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering malaria in differential diagnoses, even with seemingly surgical presentations.
- It highlights the growing threat of drug-resistant malaria strains in endemic regions.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial therapy are crucial for managing severe malaria and preventing complications.
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