[Acute respiratory distress syndrome complicating imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria]

A 25-year-old male, who had returned from the Republic of Mali in Africa, was admitted to our hospital because of a 3-day history of high fever, on the first of October 1996. He was diagnosed as Plasmodium falciparum malaria by peripheral blood smear. From the admission day he was treated with quinine HCL, 1,500 mg per day, and sulfamethoxazole 2,400 mg trimethoprim 480 mg per day, but on October 2nd blood examination showed 35% parasite density and he was given mefloquine. However he was complicated with DIC on October 3rd, ARDS on October 5th. By anti-coagulant therapy and methylprednisolone pulse therapy he became afebrile and respiratory function improved rapidly. ARDS should be emphasized as a severe complication of imported severe malaria.