Malarial Hepatopathy: A Rare Manifestation of Common Disease Case Report and Review of Literature
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease that is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. It is preventable and curable when recognized and treated early. However, infection with Plasmodium falciparum , the most virulent malaria species, can lead to severe complications and death if left untreated. Jaundice and abdominal pain are common features of severe malaria. Malarial hepatopathy is a condition characterized by significant liver dysfunction in patients with severe malaria, particularly that caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Elevated serum bilirubin levels accompanied by an increase in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT) levels are common. We report here a case of malarial hepatopathy caused by non-falciparum malaria with obstructive jaundice.
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