Case Report: Severe Plasmodium vivax Malaria after Splenectomy.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Tropical Medicine
• Parasitology

Background:

• Splenectomy is known to increase the risk of severe malaria from Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium knowlesi, and Plasmodium malariae.
• The clinical presentation and severity of Plasmodium vivax malaria post-splenectomy are less characterized.
• This study focuses on a specific case to add to the understanding of P. vivax malaria in asplenic individuals.

Observation:

• A case of severe Plasmodium vivax malaria occurred in a patient two months after splenectomy.
• The patient presented with critical symptoms including hypotension, prostration, and acute kidney injury.
• The geographical location of the case was Papua, Indonesia, an area endemic for malaria.

Findings:

• The patient experienced severe Plasmodium vivax malaria following splenectomy.
• Key clinical manifestations included hypotension, prostration, and acute kidney injury.
• Successful treatment was achieved using intravenous artesunate.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for severe P. vivax malaria in asplenic individuals.
• It underscores the need for increased vigilance and prompt management of P. vivax malaria post-splenectomy.
• Intravenous artesunate demonstrates efficacy in treating severe P. vivax malaria in this context.