title: A case of fatal Plasmodium falciparum malaria complicated by acute dengue fever in East Timor.
abstract: A case is reported of a seven-year-old girl who had concurrent infections with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and dengue in a remote area of East Timor. The diagnosis of malaria was delayed because of two false-negative results with malaria rapid diagnosis test cards. Diagnosis was eventually made on microscopic examination of the patient's blood. Despite treatment, the patient subsequently died. This case serves as a reminder of the fallibility of rapid diagnostic tests, and the importance of examining the patient's blood microscopically if malaria is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Nambour General Hospital, Nambour, Queensland, Australia. David_Ward@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: David Ian
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003715:Dengue / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011803:Quinine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D049648:Timor-Leste
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011803:Quinine