[Current clinical aspects and role of parasitic density in the manifestations of falciparum malaria].

Abstract

56 patients carriers of Plasmodium falciparum were observed throughout 1987: 47 males and 9 females of a mean age of 32. The following clinical aspects were observed: Falciparum malaria: 35 cases, malaria with a low parasitaemia (less than 1,000 HPM): 5 cases, tropical splenomegaly syndrome: 3 cases, isolated bi- or tricytopenia: 10 cases, cerebral malaria: 1 case, asymptomatic carriers: 2 cases. Statistically speaking, no significant correlation was observed between parasitaemia and the following clinical and biological symptoms: fever, splenomegaly, Hb level, platelet count. However, we noted a level of parasitaemia higher in the acute forms of malaria (Falciparum malaria and cerebral malaria) than in the non typical forms (chronic visceral malaria, haematological disorders). All asymptomatic carriers, who represent "malaria infection", presented a low parasitaemia (less than 1,000 HPM).