A strange case of Malaria in a Nigerian native boy.

Main Article Content

Paola Magro
Ilaria Izzo
Barbara Saccani
Salvatore Casari
Silvio Caligaris
Lina Rachele Tomasoni
Alberto Matteelli
Annamaria Lombardi
Antonella Meini
Francesco Castelli

Keywords

Malaria, Sickle Cell Trait, Splenic Infarction

Abstract

The protective role of SCT in malaria endemic areas has been proved and prevalence of HbS gene in malaria endemic areas is high. Splenic infarction is a well-known complication of SCT, rarely associated with malaria. A Nigerian boy was admitted to our ward after returning from his country of origin, for P. falciparum malaria. He underwent abdominal US for upper right abdominal pain, showing cholecystitis and multiple splenic abscesses. Empiric antibiotic therapy was undertaken. Bartonella, Echinococcus, Entamoeba serologies, blood cultures, Quantiferon test, coproparasitologic exam were negative; endocarditis was excluded. He underwent further blood exams and abdomen MRI, confirming the presence of signal alterations areas, with radiographic appearance of recent post-infarction outcomes. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed a percentage of HbS of 40.6% and a diagnosis of SCT was made.

Splenic infarction should be taken into account in patients with malaria and localized abdominal pain.  Moreover, diagnosis of SCT should be considered.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.


Abstract 2032
PDF Downloads 630
HTML Downloads 1231

References

[1] Luzzatto L. Sickle Cell Anaemia and Malaria. Mediter J Hematol Infect Dis 2012, 4(1): e2012065.

[2] Russo G et al. Italian Guidelines for the Sickle Cell Disease in Pediatrics. AIEOP. Article available at http://www.aieop.org/files/files_htmlarea/tutto%20giu12.pdf last accessed on November 12th, 2016.

[3] Kark J. Sickle cell trait. Article available at http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/sickle_trait.html, last accessed on November 12th, 2016.

[4] Hwang JH, Lee CS. Malaria-Induced Splenic Infarction. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 2014;91(6):1094–1100.

[5] Cinquetti G, Banal F, Rondel C, et al. Splenic infarction during Plasmodium ovale acute malaria: first case reported. Malar J 2010;9: 288.