Fatal pancytopenia in falciparum malaria

Various pernicious syndromes in Plasmodium falciparum infection are being reported with increasing frequency from tropical countries. A rare case of fatal pancytopenia associated with falciparum malaria is described. The patient developed fulminant aspiration bronchopneumonia which was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy and contributed to the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome. He also had severe uncontrolled gastrointestinal bleeding and possibly an intracerebral haemorrhage. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia are well known in malaria but severe leucopenia is very rare and pancytopenia has not been reported.