Infection and Chemotherapy 2006;38(6):407-410

Cardiac Arrhythmia and Pericardial Effusion During Plasmodium vivax Infection.

Je Sung YOU 1 ; Jin Hee LEE ; Sung Pil CHUNG ; Hong Du GOO ; In Cheol PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

Plasmodium vivax; Pericardial effusion; Arrhythmia

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax is a typically seen infectious disease in Korea. The incidence of Plasmodium vivax malaria has been increasing in recent year despite of worldwide attempts at control. Fever, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly are the most common manifestations seen in Korean patient with P. vivax. Cardiac involvement is thought to be a very rare complication of malaria infection. Cardiac complication seems to be limited to acute infection with Plasmodium falcifarum. However we have experienced cardiac complication such as pericardial effusion, and complete AV block by Plasmodium vivax. Physicians should consider cardiac involvement in patient who present hypotension, fever and arrhythmia in malaria endemic area.