Schizontemia as an indicator of severe malaria.
We conducted this study to determine if the finding of schizontemia could be used as an indicator of severe falciparum malaria. We enrolled 250 patients with severe falciparum malaria and 250 patients with umcomplicated falciparum malaria into the study. Severe falciparum malaria was defined following World Health Organization criteria (2010). Of the 250 patients with severe falciparum malaria, 99 (39.6%) had schizontemia on admission. Of the 250 patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, 0 (0%) had schizontemia (p<0.05). Schizontemia was also found to be significantly correlated with parasite density, severe malaria, impaired consciousness, pulmonary edema, hypoglycemia, jaundice and hemoglobinuria (p<0.05). Schizontemia may be considered as an indicator of severe malaria.
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Noppadon
N
Tangpukdee
Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Srivicha
S
Krudsood
Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Polrat
P
Wilairatana
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077332:Artesunate; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052939:Schizonts / Q000254:growth & development*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D015767:Mefloquine