Transfusion-associated falciparum malaria successfully treated with red blood cell exchange transfusion.

Abstract

Falciparum malaria is frequently associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The use of exchange transfusion as a therapeutic modality for severe cases of malaria has been described previously. We describe a case of a 49 year-old African American gentleman with a history of hemoglobin-SC disease who presented with a severe case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria 3 weeks after having received an infected blood transfusion. His peripheral smear showed the presence of numerous intraerythrocytic ring forms and "banana-shaped" gametocytes with a high-grade parasitemia, estimated at 18%. He was treated with antimalarial chemotherapy and also underwent a 12-unit red blood cell exchange transfusion, decreasing his parasite load to < 1%, as determined on repeat smear. It is prudent to be aware of the efficacy of this adjunctive treatment, especially with ever-increasing travel and a resultant increase in the prevalence of tropical diseases in the United States.

• Authors: B Tejura, D A Sass, R A Fischer, I Daskal, G Eiger
• Journal: The American journal of the medical sciences (Am J Med Sci) Vol. 320 Issue 5 Pg. 337-41 (Nov 2000) ISSN: 0002-9629 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11093688 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Black or African American
• Animals
• Erythrocyte Transfusion
• Erythrocytes (parasitology)
• Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood
• Humans
• Malaria, Falciparum (blood, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parasitemia (blood, therapy)
• Plasmodium falciparum (physiology)
• Transfusion Reaction