A Hospital-Based Retrospective Comparative Study of Complications, Outcomes, Clinical and Laboratory Parameters of Malaria with and without Neurological Involvement

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Classically associated with Plasmodium (P.) falciparum, neurological complications in severe malaria is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, reports implicate the long considered benign P. vivax for causing severe malaria as well. We aimed to analyse the cerebral complications in malaria, and study if there is a species-related difference in the presentation and outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively compared patients with malaria hospitalised from 2009-15, with (n=105) and without (n=1155) neurological involvement regarding outcomes, complications, demographic attributes, clinical features, and laboratory parameters. Subsequently, the same parameters were studied in those with cerebral malaria due to mono-infections of P. vivax or P. falciparum and their co-infection. RESULTS Cerebral malaria was observed in 8.3% (58/696), 7.4% (38/513) and 17.6% (6/51) of P. vivax, P. falciparum and combined plasmodial infections respectively. Those with cerebral malaria had significantly (p<0.05) longer hospitalisation, delayed defervescence, required mechanical ventilatory support and dialysis despite comparable levels of azotemia and renal insufficiency, and adverse outcomes compared to non-cerebral malaria. Severe thrombocytopenia, respiratory distress and mechanical ventilation were significantly (p<0.05) associated with P. vivax cerebral malaria. CONCLUSIONS The plasmodial species are comparable in clinical and laboratory parameters and outcomes in cerebral malaria in isolation and combination (p>0.05). P. vivax is emerging as the predominant cause of cerebral malaria, and its virulence is comparable to P. falciparum.