Malaria and stroke: case report

Malaria is a parasitic disease with high prevalence in several regions of the world. Infestation by Plasmodium faciparum can, in some cases, affect the central nervous system producing encephalitis resulting in death or neurological sequelae. The mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of the cerebral lesion are not totally clear and there are currently two theories (mechanical and humoral) concerning this. We report a case of malaria with an atypical evolution, with a stroke lesion in the territory of the middle cerebral artery, with no association with encephalitis. We conclude that the mechanical theory is the one applicable to this patient.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: LEOPOLDINO,JOSÉ FÁBIO SANTOS, FUKUJIMA,MARCIA MAIUMI, GABBAI,ALBERTO ALAIN
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 1999
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X1999000600021
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Summary:Malaria is a parasitic disease with high prevalence in several regions of the world. Infestation by Plasmodium faciparum can, in some cases, affect the central nervous system producing encephalitis resulting in death or neurological sequelae. The mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of the cerebral lesion are not totally clear and there are currently two theories (mechanical and humoral) concerning this. We report a case of malaria with an atypical evolution, with a stroke lesion in the territory of the middle cerebral artery, with no association with encephalitis. We conclude that the mechanical theory is the one applicable to this patient.