Plasmodium Falciparum With AKI: Treatment – Hospital Medicine Quiz

Artesunate

With severe malaria, the recommended approach is to start treatment with intravenous artesunate, followed by a switch to an oral antimalarial regimen once the patient’s condition has stabilized.

There are thin, often multiple rings on the inner surface of young and old erythrocytes, as well as banana-shaped gametocytes.

Plasmodium falciparum is known for its unique appearance on a blood smear because of the presence of thin rings in both young and old red blood cells. The banana-shaped gametocytes distinguish this species. These characteristics aid in the identification of P. falciparum during microscopic examination.

Defined by high parasitemia (>10%) along with clinical (e.g., pulmonary edema, seizures, confusion) and laboratory (e.g., severe anemia, acute kidney injury, hypoglycemia, hemoglobinuria, metabolic acidosis) criteria.

increases the risk as the spleen filters and clears malaria-infected erythrocytes.

Splenectomy increases the risk of severe disease in malaria infection because the spleen plays a crucial role in filtering and clearing malaria-infected red blood cells from the circulation. Without a functioning spleen, the body’s ability to control the infection is compromised, leading to a higher risk of severe complications.

Various parts of Southeast Asia, including Laos and Cambodia, are included in the regions where mefloquine-resistant Plasmodium is increasingly prevalent.

Mefloquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a growing concern in Southeast Asia because of the spread of drug-resistant strains. Countries like Laos and Cambodia have reported increasing prevalence, highlighting the urgent need for effective malaria control strategies in these regions.

Hemodynamic and respiratory support, fluid and electrolyte management, blood replacement, and potentially hemodialysis can help the patient during this time.

Severe malaria cases can lead to life-threatening complications like organ failure. Hemodynamic support stabilizes blood flow, while respiratory support ensures proper oxygenation. Managing fluids and electrolytes helps maintain balance. Blood replacement and hemodialysis may be necessary for severe cases with complications.

Yes, they can treat all malarial species.

Hypnozoites are the latent hepatic stage found in P. vivax and P. ovale.

Hypnozoites are dormant liver forms of the Plasmodium parasites, specifically P. vivax and P. ovale. They can remain inactive for extended periods before reactivating, causing relapses of malaria. Treatment targeting hypnozoites is crucial for preventing these relapses.

They are given after treating the erythrocytic stage to prevent clinical relapse by eradicating persistent liver infection.

Primaquine and tafenoquine are used in malaria treatment to target the liver stage of the parasite’s life cycle, preventing relapse. They are particularly effective against Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale malaria strains due to their ability to eliminate dormant liver forms of the parasite.