Plasmodium falciparum malaria--a diagnostic dilemma

A retrospective analysis of fifty cases where falciparum malaria was detected at autopsy, was done. Histopathological sections from all organs were taken. Cerebral malaria was seen in 44 cases on histology. Plugging of cerebral vasculature by parasitised erythrocytes (pRBC) was seen in all cases while Durck granulomas were seen in 5 cases. Multiple organ involvement was seen in form of sequestration of pRBC in all the cases. Positive peripheral smear was obtained in only 20 cases (antemortem). Twenty-nine patients had jaundice of which 18 had altered sensorium. They were clinically diagnosed as hepatic failure with or without hepatic encephalopathy. Fever as a symptom was seen in 19 patients. Age varied from 14 years to 80 years. Twenty-three patients died within 12 hours of admission, 12 other patients expired within a day. Only two cases survived more than a week. Specific antimalarial therapy was administered to 29 patients of which only 11 cases received quinine.