Plasmodium vivax infection manifesting as splenic abscess: A rare case report and review of literature

Abstract

Incidence of malaria across the globe has constantly been on a rise, especially the tropics. Hence, it is of utmost importance to know its clinical presentation and complications including rare ones and treat them at the earliest. Spleen is a major organ affected by plasmodium. The changes in spleen because of malaria can range from asymptomatic enlargement to complications, such as splenic infarct, rupture, hemoperitoneum, hypersplenism, torsion, cyst, or abscess formation all of which are life-threatening if not treated. Splenic abscess due to any cause is a serious complication due to high-incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with it. Spleen abscess as a complication of malaria has been rarely described in the literature. We present to you a rare case of splenic abscess due to vivax species of plasmodium which was successfully treated conservatively.

Keywords

• Complication
• malaria
• Plasmodium vivax
• spleen abscess