Concurrent meningitis and vivax malaria
Tuhin Santra1, Sumana Datta2, Neha Agrawal1
1Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Abstract:
Malaria is an endemic infectious disease in India. It is often associated with other infective conditions but concomitant infection of malaria and meningitis are uncommon. We present a case of meningitis with vivax malaria infection in a 24-year-old lady. This case emphasizes the importance of high index of clinical suspicion to detect other infective conditions like meningitis when fever does not improve even after anti-malarial treatment in a patient of malaria before switching therapy suspecting drug resistance, which is quite common in this part of world.
Insights
Concomitant malaria and meningitis infections are rare. This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion to diagnose meningitis in malaria patients whose fever persists despite antimalarial treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Malaria is endemic in India, frequently co-occurring with other infections.
- Concomitant malaria and meningitis infections are notably uncommon.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing infectious diseases.
Observation:
- A case of a 24-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of meningitis.
- The patient was diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax malaria.
- The co-occurrence of malaria and meningitis presented a diagnostic challenge.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited persistent fever despite initial antimalarial therapy for vivax malaria.
- Meningitis was diagnosed concurrently with the malaria infection.
- This case underscores the diagnostic complexity of co-infections.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for co-infections like meningitis in malaria patients with persistent fever.
- Considering co-infections is vital before attributing persistent symptoms solely to antimalarial drug resistance.
- Early detection of concomitant infections improves patient outcomes and guides appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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