Falciparum malaria or fulminant hepatic failure?
Ahsan, T.; Rab, S.M.; Shekhani, M.S.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 43(10): 206-208
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 8114250 Document Number: 407074
Six cases of severe jaundice and encephalopathy due to falciparum hepatitis initially diagnosed as fulminant hepatic failure are reported. This rare presentation of falciparum malaria should be suspected in patients with persistent fever, jaundice, encephalopathy and hepatomegaly. The diagnosis should be further suspected when the liver function tests show a predominantly conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with only modest elevation of liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatase. Liver biopsy is valuable in establishing the diagnosis at all stages of the disease.