An imported case of P. falciparum malaria presenting as black water fever with acute renal failure.

This is a report of a case of blackwater fever in a 28-year-old Nigerian man who was admitted to hospital with fever, jaundice and passing dark urine. Abdominal examination revealed splenomegaly and an examination of the peripheral smear of the patient showed the ring form of the trophozoites of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Serum creatinine was 200micromol/L. Treatment with quinine and doxycycline was started and intravenous fluids were administered with close monitoring of the urine output and serum electrolytes. Due to the alarming amount of fluid accumulation and his exacerbated azotaemia the decision was made to haemodialyse the patient; the patient required five haemodialysis sessions during his stay in the hospital. He was discharged on the sixteenth day after admission with a serum creatinine level of 160micromol/L.