Recrudescent plasmodium falciparum malaria after head trauma: a case report with novel clinical perspective

Abstract

Malaria is a common infection disease in tropical regions, among which cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium Falciparum remains an enormous threat. Recrudescence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria makes it hard to eliminate the disease of malaria. Many factors that can lead to immune suppression are believed to have the function of causing malaria recrudescence, but whether traumatic brain injury can trigger it remains unclear. Here we present a Plasmodium Falciparum malaria patient who had explicit traumatic brain injury history just before the onset of his symptoms of cerebral malaria. Besides, the progression of his cerebral malaria is much more rapid than normal. Throughout the case report we discuss a new provoking factor that may promote the recrudescence of Plasmodium Falciparum malaria and propose a novel perspective to avoid or reduce acute kidney injury in patients with cerebral malaria.