Coagulation studies in falciparum and vivax malaria.

Coagulation factors and serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were studied in 31 cases of acute falciparum malaria with severe complications, 13 cases without severe complications, and 6 cases of vivax malaria. Seven of 13 cases of acute falciparum infection with severe complications died and the coagulation studies were markedly changed and there were high levels of serum FDP. The degree of changes in coagulation and serum FDP varied with the severity of the symptoms and signs and there were virtually no changes in the cases of vivax malaria. It was speculated that changes might be the result rather than the cause of pathogenic processes in falciparum malaria.