Glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy caused by Plasmodium vivax infection

Abstract

Acute renal failure, although less commonly seen in P. vivax than P. falciparum infection, may be associated with significant morbidity and even mortality. The exact pathogenesis of vivax related renal failure is unknown as renal biopsies are done infrequently. We report a 10 year old boy with renal failure and severe thrombocytopenia due to vivax infection wherein the renal histopathological examination revealed thrombotic microangiopathy. We suggest this as one of the important underlying mechanisms of vivax-induced renal failure.

Keywords

• vivax malaria
• renal failure
• thrombocytopenia
• thrombotic microangiopathy

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