Malaria in Cape Town. A report of 3 cases and a review of current therapy and prophylaxis.

Three cases of malaria seen within 1 week at the Somerset Hospital in Cape Town are reported. One of these patients developed cerebral malaria and severe brain damage. The management of acute malaria and its complications, as well as the prophylaxis, is briefly reviewed. In view of the difficulty in obtaining intravenous quinine in Cape Town, it is strongly recommended that small supplies of intravenous quinine be maintained at centres throughout the country. This may decrease the incidence of cerebral malaria, the potentially fatal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infections.