[DIC and peripheral gangrene in a severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria: the coagulation-inflammation cycle with Plasmodium falciparum as a model].

Peripheral gangrene with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria has already been described but is unfrequent. We report here the case of a 62-year-old man admitted in the intensive care unit of our hospital for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and peripheral gangrene of his toes that needed amputation. Pathophysiological mechanisms leading to DIC in malaria can be used as a model to explain the relation between coagulation and inflammation. Therapeutic targeting of coagulation, by acting on inflammation, could be useful to limit the coagulation-inflammation cycle.