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3.7.13 - Malaria and Tropical Diseases
from Section 3.7 - Infection and Immunity
- By Clare Morkane
Edited by Ned Gilbert-Kawai, The Royal Liverpool Hospital, Debashish Dutta, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, Carl Waldmann, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
Book:

Intensive Care Medicine

Published online:

27 July 2023

Print publication:

01 December 2021, pp 287-291
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Summary

Key Learning Points
1. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the Plasmodium genus, transmitted by mosquitoes.
2. There are five species of Plasmodium that regularly infect humans; Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the vast majority of malarial deaths.
3. Severe malaria is a medical emergency, with mortality from untreated disease (particularly cerebral malaria) approaching 100 per cent. Early diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment are essential.
4. Parenteral artesunate is the treatment of choice for all severe malaria.
5. It is important to remember there are many causes of critical illness in the returning traveller, with a wide number of differentials, including, but not limited to: enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid), hepatitis, dengue or other arboviruses, avian influenza and viral haemorrhagic fever.