Plasmodium vivax-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome after extended travel in Afghanistan.
A 21-year-old soldier developed anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and fever 10 days after returning to the United States from an 8-month deployment in Afghanistan. His symptoms persisted over the next 5 days until he presented in respiratory failure with a partial pressure oxygen: concentration of inspired oxygen (PaO(2):FiO(2)) ratio of 63, requiring urgent intubation and ventilator support. Chest roentgenogram revealed diffuse bilateral alveolar opacities consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although sputum and blood cultures did not reveal a causative agent, Giemsa-stained blood smears were positive for Plasmodium vivax alone, which was later confirmed by small subunit ribosomal RNA polymerase chain reaction amplification. After a tenuous course marked by splenic rupture and prolonged requirement for ventilator support, the patient ultimately recovered. Although generally considered benign, this and other recent reports of vivax malaria-associated lung injury emphasize the need for persistent pursuit of the diagnosis in febrile travelers returning from vivax endemic locations as well as aggressive monitoring for and management of life-threatening complications.
Maguire
Jason D
JD
US Military Hospital, Expeditionary Medical Facility, APO AE 09366, Kuwait. jason.maguire@med.navy.mil
Fenton
Michael E
ME
Susanti
Augustina I
AI
Walker
Jeffrey B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014195:Travel