Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia caused by Plasmodium vivax malaria

A 64-year-old woman developed a relapse of Plasmodium vivax malaria followed by a rapidly progressive diffuse patchy pulmonary process. Open lung biopsy specimen showed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). After corticosteroid therapy was initiated, there was both clinical and radiographic improvement. This is believed to be the first reported association of BOOP with malaria.