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Cite this article:
Faraj Omar Alkizim, Duncan Matheka, Otieno Walter Mwanda. Malaria complicated by gangrene: a case presentation and review. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2011;10:46 Key words: Gangrene, malaria, complication, Kenya Permanent link: http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/10/46/full Received: 24/08/2011 - Accepted: 23/11/2011 - Published: 25/11/2011 © Faraj Omar Alkizim et al. The Pan African Medical Journal - ISSN 1937-8688. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Malaria complicated by gangrene: a case presentation and review
Faraj Omar Alkizim1,&, Duncan Matheka1, Otieno Walter Mwanda1,2
1School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya, 2Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
&Corresponding author
Faraj Omar Alkizim, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is an extremely rare complication of malaria. It occurs acutely and progresses rapidly to cause irreversible necrosis of tissue following which debridement or amputation is inevitable. We present a case of malaria complicated by SPG. A 54-year old male developed SPG two days after he was diagnosed with severe malaria and treated with intravenous quinine. Despite intervention quad-amputation was necessary as the gangrene had involved all four limbs. SPG secondary to malaria is caused by obstruction of arterioles following sequestration of parasite infected erythrocytes. This is extremely rare, hence almost never anticipated during management of malaria patients. Furthermore due to its rapid progression, it is almost always detected at an advanced irreversible stage. Physicians managing malaria should therefore be vigilant, and look out for SPG, as its prognosis is dependent on correct and timely intervention.
