The use of activated protein C in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
A 56-year-old man presented to a peripheral hospital in New Zealand with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria with cerebral involvement and subsequently developed multi-system organ failure. Activated protein C was used in an attempt to stop the cascade of events into multi-organ failure. Severe infection with P. falciparum is life-threatening and appears to activate a hypercoagulable state similar to that of severe sepsis. Activated protein C is currently used in the treatment of severe sepsis and may provide a new adjuvant therapy for severe P. falciparum malaria.
Rankin
L G
LG
Intensive Care Unit, Whangarei Base Hospital, Whangarei, New Zealand.
Austin
D L H
DL
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011486:Protein C / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C421124:drotrecogin alfa activated