Cerebral malaria in non-paediatric subjects resident in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Seven previously healthy, non-immunocompromised adolescents and adults with cerebral malaria were seen over a nine-month period in an endemic area where the disease was previously thought to be rare in persons above the age of 11 years. Six of these, treated with quinine responded promptly to therapy with mean parasite and fever clearance times of 58.0 ±4.9 hrs and 30.0 ± 16.5. hrs respectively and regained consciousness in 20.0 ± 14.5 hrs. One patient treated with chloroquine regained consciousness in 28 hrs, with parasite and fever clearance times of 120 hrs and 48 hrs respectively. No neurological deficit was observed on discharge in any of the subjects.