# Relapsing Plasmodium vivax malaria in a 12-year-old Brazilian girl: A case report

## TL;DR

A 12-year-old Brazilian girl experienced two relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria after standard treatment, but improved with extended chloroquine prophylaxis.

## Contribution

This case highlights the challenges of treating relapsing P. vivax malaria and the effectiveness of prolonged chloroquine use.

## Key findings

- The patient had two relapses after conventional chloroquine and primaquine treatment.
- Chloroquine prophylaxis for three months led to a favorable outcome.
- The case underscores the need for extended treatment strategies for P. vivax.

## Abstract

Plasmodium vivax causes the vast majority of malaria cases in Brazil. The lifecycle of this parasite includes a latent stage in the liver, the hypnozoite. Reactivation of hypnozoites induces repeated relapses. We report a case of two relapses of vivax malaria in a teenage girl after conventional treatment with chloroquine and primaquine. Chloroquine prophylactic treatment for three months was prescribed with a favourable outcome of the case.