Severe Plasmodium falciparum infection with multi-organ involvement in an asplenic patient: a case report

Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of severe malaria. The spleen plays a central role in the clearance of the infection in conjunction with antimalarial treatment. Splenectomized patients lack sufficient clearance functions. We report a case of severe P. falciparum infection with multi-organ involvement acquired in Uganda in a splenectomized patient with a persistently high parasitemia level despite appropriate antimalarial treatment. The case emphasizes the challenges associated with severe malaria in asplenic patients.