Joan Gómez-Junyent1, Pedro Ruiz-Panales2, Antonia Calvo-Cano3, Joaquim Gascón3, José Muñoz3. 1. ISGlobal, Barcelona Ctr. Int. Health Res. (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: gjunyent@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Araba Txagorritxu, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. 3. ISGlobal, Barcelona Ctr. Int. Health Res. (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Delayed haemolytic anaemia is one of the more frequent events after treatment with intravenous artesunate in patients with severe malaria. Little is known about its frequency and the outcomes of patients with this condition. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to describe the incidence of delayed haemolysis in a cohort of patients with severe malaria by Plasmodium falciparum treated with artesunate between August 2013 and July 2015. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients with malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum, with 21 having severe malaria. The majority were male (66.7%), and the median age was 43 years. Four patients (19%) presented post-artesunate delayed haemolysis 11-13 days from the initiation of treatment. Two patients required hospital admission and red blood cell transfusion. CONCLUSION: Post-artesunate delayed haemolysis is frequent in patients with severe malaria treated with intravenous artemisinins. These patients should be monitored for 4 weeks after treatment is started.
INTRODUCTION: Delayed haemolytic anaemia is one of the more frequent events after treatment with intravenous artesunate in patients with severe malaria. Little is known about its frequency and the outcomes of patients with this condition. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to describe the incidence of delayed haemolysis in a cohort of patients with severe malaria by Plasmodium falciparum treated with artesunate between August 2013 and July 2015. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients with malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum, with 21 having severe malaria. The majority were male (66.7%), and the median age was 43 years. Four patients (19%) presented post-artesunatedelayed haemolysis 11-13 days from the initiation of treatment. Two patients required hospital admission and red blood cell transfusion. CONCLUSION: Post-artesunatedelayed haemolysis is frequent in patients with severe malaria treated with intravenous artemisinins. These patients should be monitored for 4 weeks after treatment is started.
Authors: Bridget E Barber; Matthew J Grigg; Daniel J Cooper; Donelly A van Schalkwyk; Timothy William; Giri S Rajahram; Nicholas M Anstey Journal: Adv Parasitol Date: 2021-09-01 Impact factor: 3.125