A case of fatal Plasmodium falciparum malaria complicated by acute dengue fever in East Timor.
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.
Ward
David Ian
DI
Department of Emergency Medicine, Nambour General Hospital, Nambour, Queensland, Australia. David_Ward@health.qld.gov.au
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
D000962:Antimalarials; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011803:Quinine