Falciparum malaria in an overseas traveler complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and pulmonary edema.

A 24-year-old woman was infected with falciparum malaria during travel to Kenya, complicated by intravascular coagulation and pulmonary edema. She was successfully treated with anti-malarial drugs including chloroquine, quinine sulfate and pyrimethamine, with a combined regimen of heparin, antithrombin III and nafamostat mesilate for disseminated intravascular coagulation, and with methylprednisolone pulse therapy for pulmonary edema. The present case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment in terms of falciparum malaria. This case, in particular, is believed to be worth reporting as overseas travel is increasing and yet anti-malarial drugs are not readily available to most physicians in Japan.