Malignant malaria: autopsy findings and morphological features

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Tropical Medicine

Background:

• Malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a major cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Plasmodium falciparum infection leads to red blood cell aggregation, microvascular obstruction, ischemia, and hemorrhages.
• Autopsy is crucial for diagnosing the cause of death in sudden malaria cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of fatal cerebral malaria with detailed autopsy findings.
• To determine the cause of death and contributing factors in a severe malaria case.
• To highlight the diagnostic importance of autopsy in malaria.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a 54-year-old woman with untreated multiple myeloma who traveled to Central Africa without chemoprophylaxis.
• The patient presented with fever, headache, and asthenia, rapidly progressing to multiorgan failure and death.
• Autopsy was performed to ascertain the cause of death.

Main Results:

• The autopsy identified cerebral malaria as the cause of death.
• The findings illustrated the pathological consequences of Plasmodium falciparum infection.
• The case demonstrated the rapid progression to fatal outcomes in severe malaria.

Conclusions:

• Plasmodium falciparum infection can be fatal, necessitating accurate diagnosis.
• Autopsy findings are vital for confirming the role of malaria in mortality.
• Clinicians should consider Plasmodium falciparum in febrile travelers from endemic areas.