Fibrin-degradation products in falciparum malaria.

A fatal female case of cerebral falciparum malaria who was accidentally, artificially and directly infected in Japan through nursing an imported falciparum malaria was experienced. These observations raised a question as to whether the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) would occur in falciparum malaria. Then, 84 Congolese patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were studied on the coagulation. Serum fibrin-degradation products (FDP) levels were only slightly raised (10-40 microgram/ml) in 4 cases out of 84 (5%). Thrombocytopenia, elongation of prothrombin time and low fibrinogen concentration were found in 24 out of 57 (42%), in 11 out of 47 (23%) and in 11 out of 46 (24%), respectively. Relations between FDP level and the other observations were not significant. It is suggested that there is no evidence of intravascular coagulation at least in uncomplicated falciparum malaria.