Atypical Plasmodium vivax malaria in a traveler: bilateral hydronephrosis, severe thrombocytopenia, and hypotension.
We report a case of Plasmodium vivax infection manifested as severe thrombocytopenia, bilateral hydronephrosis, and hypotension in a returning traveler from a malaria-endemic area in Venezuela. While most of the efforts to prevent malaria in travelers focus on the life-threatening consequences of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, nonimmune travelers who encounter infection with P vivax may also develop serious complications. This case highlights the importance of preventing malaria cases among nonimmune or semi-immune individuals traveling to P vivax-endemic areas.
Rifakis
Pedro M
PM
Internal Medicine, Hosipital de Emergencia Pérez de León, Caracas, Venezuela.
Hernandez
Osdalys
O
Fernández
Carmen T
CT
Rodriguez-Morales
Alfonso J
AJ
Von
Anna
A
Franco-Paredes
Carlos
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011319:Primaquine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014687:Venezuela
D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine; D011319:Primaquine