Are respiratory complications of Plasmodium vivax malaria an underestimated problem?

Background: Respiratory complications are uncommon, but often life-threatening features of Plasmodium vivax malaria. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and lethality associated with such complications among P. vivax malaria patients in a tertiary hospital in the Western Brazilian Amazon, an...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Val, Fernando, Avalos, Sara, Gomes, André Alexandre, Albornoz Zerpa, José Evelio, Fontecha, Gustavo, Machado Siqueira, André, Bassat, Quique, Costa Alecrim, Maria Graças, Monteiro, Wuelton Marcelo, Guimarães Lacerda, Marcus Vinícius
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universidad Europea (UEM)
Repositorio:ABACUS. Repositorio de Producción Científica
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:abacus.universidadeuropea.com:11268/7060
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11268/7060
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Aparato respiratorio -- Enfermedades
Paludismo
Cuidados intensivos
Aparato respiratorio
Malaria
Tratamiento médico
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Respiratory complications are uncommon, but often life-threatening features of Plasmodium vivax malaria. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and lethality associated with such complications among P. vivax malaria patients in a tertiary hospital in the Western Brazilian Amazon, and to identify variables associated with severe respiratory complications, intensive care need and death. Medical records from 2009 to 2016 were reviewed aiming to identify all patients diagnosed with P. vivax malaria and respiratory complications. Prevalence, lethality and risk factors associated with WHO defined respiratory complications, intensive care need and death were assessed. Results: A total of 587 vivax malaria patients were hospitalized during the study period. Thirty (5.1%) developed respiratory complications. Thirteen (43.3%) developed severe respiratory complications, intensive care was required for 12 (40%) patients and 5 (16.6%) died. On admission, anaemia and thrombocytopaenia were common findings, whereas fever was unusual. Patients presented different classes of parasitaemia and six were aparasitaemic on admission. Time to respiratory complications occurred after anti-malarials administration in 18 (60%) patients and progressed very rapidly. Seventeen patients (56.7%) had comorbidities and/or concomitant conditions, which were significantly associated to higher odds of developing severe respiratory complications, need for intensive care and death (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Respiratory complications were shown to be associated with significant mortality in this population. Patients with comorbidities and/or concomitant conditions require special attention to avoid this potential life-threatening complication. Electronic supplementary material: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2143-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.