[Tropical malaria--danger for persons visiting endemic areas]

Abstract

Malaria continues to be a wide-spread infection in tropical areas. According to World Health Organization, malaria is present in over 100 countries, populated by over 3 bln people. Malaria morbidity in these areas is difficult to estimate. Tropical malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more than 95% of fatal cases. Other Plasmodium species able to infect humans are P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae, typically responsible for more prolonged course of the disease, with possibility of late relapse, but rarely resulting in fatal outcome. We present a case of tropical malaria, illustrating wide spectrum of complications associated with P. falciparum infection, especially in cases of massive parasitemia.