I have read Christopher et al's editorial with a great interest.
Malaria is still a major problem in developing countries and cerebral
malaria is the most dreadful form of the disease with high mortality due
to high parasitemic level. The problem with whatever drug therapy used for
cerebral malaria is its relatively slow activity. The patient often dies
before even the drug starts acting. It seems to me that the only effective
means to reduce the parasitemic level as quickly as possible without
farther endangering the patient is by an urgent blood exchange. This
rescue procedure is relatively simple, cheap, and in my opinion, should be
adapted as the rescue procedure of choice by hospitals and health
authorities in endemic countries.
.
1. Christopher J M Whitty, Evelyn Ansah, and Hugh Reyburn
Treating severe malaria. BMJ 2005; 330: 317-31
2. Eisenman A, Baruch Y, Shechter Y, Oren I.Blood exchange -a rescue
procedure for complicated falciparum malaria. Vox Sang. 1995;68:19-21
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
14 February 2005
Arie Eisenman
head of medical section, the emergency department
The Western Galilee Hospital, POB 21 ,Naharia, 22100, Israel
Rapid Response:
Rescue of Cerebral Malaria
Dear Editor,
I have read Christopher et al's editorial with a great interest. Malaria is still a major problem in developing countries and cerebral malaria is the most dreadful form of the disease with high mortality due to high parasitemic level. The problem with whatever drug therapy used for cerebral malaria is its relatively slow activity. The patient often dies before even the drug starts acting. It seems to me that the only effective means to reduce the parasitemic level as quickly as possible without farther endangering the patient is by an urgent blood exchange. This rescue procedure is relatively simple, cheap, and in my opinion, should be adapted as the rescue procedure of choice by hospitals and health authorities in endemic countries. .
1. Christopher J M Whitty, Evelyn Ansah, and Hugh Reyburn Treating severe malaria. BMJ 2005; 330: 317-31
2. Eisenman A, Baruch Y, Shechter Y, Oren I.Blood exchange -a rescue procedure for complicated falciparum malaria. Vox Sang. 1995;68:19-21
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests