Pulmonary damage associated with falciparum malaria; a report of ten cases

Ten cases of pulmonary involvement associated with falciparum malaria are described. Measurements of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were made in five of the ten cases, and no evidence of raised hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary microcirculation was found which could account for the pulmonary oedema observed. All cases were treated with oxygen and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and there were six survivors. The evidence to support the presence of an Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)-type lesion in malaria is discussed.