Plasmodium falciparum malaria, bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy and delayed cerebellar ataxia

Authors

  • Vitor Duque Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal
  • Diana Seixas Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal
  • Conceição Ventura Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal
  • Saraiva da Cunha Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal
  • António Meliço-Silvestre Area de Gestão Integrada II, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.2177

Keywords:

Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, sixth cranial nerve palsy, delayed cerebellar ataxia

Abstract

We describe the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian male, a resident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who was observed in Portugal with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria with high-level parasitemia and severe thrombocytopenia. The course was complicated by bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy during acute malaria, followed by the appearance of delayed cerebellar ataxia during the recovery phase. This occurred after successful treatment with quinine plus doxycycline over seven days. Different levels of thrombocytopenia and C-reactive protein were observed during both neurologic events in the presence of HRP-2 positive tests for Plasmodium falciparum antigen. The patient recovered completely after three months.

Author Biographies

Diana Seixas, Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal

Infectious Diseases Internship

Infectious Diseases Service

University Hospitals of Coimbra

Conceição Ventura, Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal

Infectious Diseases Specialist, MD

Infectious Diseases Service

University Hospitals of Coimbra

Saraiva da Cunha, Serviço de Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal

MD; PhD

Director

Service of Infectious Diseases

University Hospital of Coimbra

Faculty of Medicine of Coimbra, Portugal

António Meliço-Silvestre, Area de Gestão Integrada II, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, EPE, Portugal

MD; PhD

Director

AGI II

University Hospital of Coimbra

Faculty of Medicine of Coimbra, Portugal

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Published

2011-12-16

How to Cite

1.
Duque V, Seixas D, Ventura C, da Cunha S, Meliço-Silvestre A (2011) Plasmodium falciparum malaria, bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy and delayed cerebellar ataxia. J Infect Dev Ctries 6:290–294. doi: 10.3855/jidc.2177

Issue

Section

Case Reports