The sting in the tail of severe falciparum malaria: Post-artesunate delayed haemolysis

Abstract

Post-artesunate delayed haemolysis (PADH) is thought to occur because of delayed clearance of previously malarial infected erythrocytes spared by ‘pitting’ during treatment. We report a case of PADH following the treatment of Plasmodium (P.) falciparum malaria (32% parasitaemia), with a positive direct antiglobulin (DAT) test, suggesting an immune mechanism.

Keywords

• malaria
• zoonoses
• protozoan infections
• falciparum malaria
• tropical diseases
• haemolytic anaemia
• autoimmune haemolytic anaemia