Jaundice and hepatomegaly in primary malaria

The hepatic manifestations were studied in 65 patients having uncomplicated primary attacks of vivax and falciparum malaria. Hepatomegaly due to a "non-specific reactive hepatitis" occurred in 57% of cases. Jaundice occurred in 15% of patients and was invariably associated with hepatomegaly. The clinical syndromes of jaundice and hepatomegaly in uncomplicated primary attacks of malaria have to be distinguished from those related to disorders like viral hepatitis, hepatic amoebiasis, typhoid hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis and Q fever. The causes for the jaundice and the pathogenesis for the hepatic lesions have been discussed.