[Malaria associated with bacterial infection in the department of infectious diseases at the National and University Hospital of Fann, Dakar].

OBJECTIVES

To describe severe malaria cases with bacterial infection.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, descriptive and analytical study over 8 months.

RESULTS

15 of the 86 severe malaria cases had bacterial infections: enteritis (7 cases), urinary tract infection (4 cases), meningitis (4 cases), pneumonia (cases), sepsis (1 case), and sinusitis (1 case). Convulsions, jaundice, abnormal bleeding, pulmonary edema were more frequent in patients with associated infections. The average number of leukocytes and CRP were significantly higher in patients with bacterial infection. The mean parasite density was higher in patients without bacterial infection (56,362/mm3 vs. 239,162.2 ± 3326/mm 3 ± 7175.3). Lethality was higher in patients with bacterial infection (20% versus 16.9%).

CONCLUSION

Bacterial infections are common in severe malaria and may influence the prognosis.