A imported case of Plasmodium malariae

Hemoglobin was 12.1 g/dl, red blood cell count - 4.14 million/mm 3, packed cell volume - 35.9%, white blood cell count - 4500/mm 3 with 85% neutrophils and marginally decreased platelet count (131,000/mm 3). {Figure 1} Although the rapid diagnostic test for Plasmodium falciparum was negative he was treated with artesunate +sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for 3 days as coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum is common in Africa. [4] In conclusion, we wish to stress the importance of accurate diagnosis of this infection, which is likely to be misdiagnosed as P. vivax and which may present with pathologically different and irreversible form of nephropathy and can cause recrudescence decades after initial infection.