Malaria with Liver and Kidney Problems

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QUESTION

Can someone please tell me what kind of malaria this is. What part of the body it attacks, e.g., cerebral? Patient presenting with liver and kidney “problems”. What could these be?

ANSWER

I am not sure I fully understand your question, but the type of malaria which is associated with cerebral malaria, and also tends to have the most adverse effects on other organs (such as the kidneys) is Plasmodium falciparum. However, all species of malaria go through the liver as part of their life cycle, so all may invoke some kidney problems. The four other types of malaria which infect humans are P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P.knowlesi.

Coma and Malaria

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QUESTION

My sister is in a coma and doctors said its malaria. She is on life support system. Will she come out of it? The liver and kidneys have been affected.

ANSWER

Without more information, I am afraid it is impossible to know what the prognosis will be. Is she receiving treatment for the malaria? For cases of this severity, intravenous quinine is often the first-line treatment for malaria.