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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Falciparum malaria after splenectomy: A prospective controlled study of 33 previously splenectomized Malawian adults
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 99, No. 11, Year 2005
Notification
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Description
We identified 33 Malawians who had undergone total splenectomy for traumatic injury. We reviewed these and 33 controls by clinical and parasitological examination monthly for 1 year. Splenectomized patients (S) were 2.5 times as likely as controls (C) to complain about febrile symptoms during the month preceding a visit (P < 0.0001). They were nearly twice as likely as controls to have Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia (S: 176/283 person visits; C: 86/262; P < 0.0001). Parasitaemia was more likely to be associated with febrile symptoms in splenectomized individuals (S: 104/176, 59%; C: 24/86, 28%; P < 0.0001). There were three deaths (two non-malarial, one unexplained) among splenectomized subjects and none in the control group. Parasite densities reached significantly higher levels, and mature parasite stages were more often seen in the peripheral blood, in asplenic individuals. In a partially immune population, asplenic individuals are at increased risk of malarial infections and illness. In a larger group without the benefit of regular review and prompt therapy, there may be an increased risk of life-threatening malaria. Splenectomy should be avoided when possible in an area with endemic transmission of P. falciparum. © 2005 Published by Elsevier on the behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Authors & Co-Authors
Bach, Olaf
Germany, Jena
Friedrich-schiller-universität Jena
United Kingdom, Aberdeen
Woodend Hospital
Baier, Michael
Germany, Jena
Friedrich-schiller-universität Jena
Pullwitt, Annika
Germany, Jena
Friedrich-schiller-universität Jena
Fosiko, Nedson G.
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
United Kingdom, Liverpool
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Chagaluka, George
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
Kalima, Matthew
Malawi, Zomba
Zomba Central Hospital
Pfister, Wolfgang
Germany, Jena
Friedrich-schiller-universität Jena
Straube, Eberhard
Germany, Jena
Friedrich-schiller-universität Jena
Molyneux, Malcolm Edward
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
United Kingdom, Liverpool
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 9
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.trstmh.2005.03.008
ISSN:
00359203
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Violence And Injury
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study