Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
07:27
A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting
Published on: May 16, 2013
21.1K
Hyperglycemia in severe falciparum malaria: a case report
Leonardo Chianura1, Isabella Corinna Errante1, Giovanna Travi1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milano, Italy.
Case Reports in Critical Care
|August 28, 2014
Summary
Severe malaria can present unusually. This case highlights Plasmodium falciparum infection causing hyperglycemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), emphasizing the need for physician awareness of this rare presentation.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, can manifest with atypical clinical signs.
- Hyperglycemia is a recognized complication of severe malaria, often linked to increased mortality.
- Uncommon presentations of malaria, particularly with hyperglycemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), are infrequently documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria presenting with hyperglycemia and MODS.
- To increase physician awareness regarding unusual malaria presentations.
- To underscore the association between hyperglycemia and severe malaria outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 59-year-old Ethiopian immigrant.
- Clinical evaluation and diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
- Monitoring of clinical signs, including hyperglycemia and organ dysfunction.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
- Initial symptoms included significant hyperglycemia and development of MODS.
- This presentation is considered uncommon for malaria.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should consider malaria in patients with unexplained hyperglycemia and MODS, especially in endemic or immigrant populations.
- Early recognition of unusual malaria presentations is critical for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
- Hyperglycemia in severe malaria warrants close attention due to its association with poor prognosis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hyperglycemia
23
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose...
23
01:15Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
1.3K
Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
1.3K
01:26Hypoglycemia
22
Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
22
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
2.5K
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is...
2.5K
01:21Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
11
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, or HHS, is a serious and life-threatening complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by three main features: severe hyperglycemia, profound dehydration, and elevated serum osmolality, all occurring without significant ketoacidosis.HHS typically develops in older adults or individuals with limited access to fluids. This may result from illness, cognitive impairment, or medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids. These factors reduce...
11
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
11
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated...
11