Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
15:03
Building a Better Mosquito: Identifying the Genes Enabling Malaria and Dengue Fever Resistance in A. gambiae and A. aegypti Mosquitoes
Published on: July 4, 2007
11.4K
P. vivax Malaria presenting as Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Dharmendra Bhadauria1, Harsh Vardhan2, Anupma Kaul3
1Assistant Professor.
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Plasmapheresis can effectively treat thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria, even when acute kidney injury (AKI) persists. Early suspicion of TMA is crucial for prompt treatment and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Hematology
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known complication of falciparum malaria, but also occurs with vivax malaria.
- Severe malaria can present with AKI, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and jaundice, mimicking thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).
- The association between malaria and TMA is not fully understood, but evidence suggests a link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between malaria and TMA.
- To evaluate cases of malaria presenting with jaundice and AKI.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of an electronic database was conducted.
- Cases of malaria, jaundice, and AKI were evaluated for TMA.
Main Results:
- Four patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria and histopathologically confirmed TMA were identified.
- All patients presented with fever, oliguria, and jaundice, with symptom onset 7-14 days prior to admission.
- Treatment included Artesunate for parasitemia, hemodialysis, and plasmapheresis, resulting in recovery for all patients, with one experiencing persistent urinary abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- A high index of suspicion for TMA is warranted in malaria patients with non-recovering AKI, persistent anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
- Plasmapheresis appears to be highly effective in this subset of malarial AKI.
- A potential pathogenetic link between P. vivax and TMA requires further investigation in larger studies.
