Plasmodium vivax Malaria Complicated With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 32-year-old woman developed severe breathing problems from Plasmodium vivax malaria but fully recovered with antimalarial drugs and breathing support.

Contribution

Highlights a rare but severe complication of P. vivax malaria, emphasizing its potential severity beyond traditional understanding.

Findings

P. vivax malaria can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The patient recovered fully with intravenous antimalarials and noninvasive ventilation.

This case challenges the perception of P. vivax as a low-mortality malaria type.

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria was long considered to have low mortality. Severe malaria was classically associated with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). However, there is growing evidence that severe and complicated forms of vivax malaria may be more widespread than previously assumed. We report a case of a 32-year-old female patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a complication of P. vivax malaria who has recovered completely following starting intravenous antimalarial medications and noninvasive ventilation (NIV).

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