Opsoclonus-myoclonus in Falciparum malaria infection

SUNIL HS, SANJUKTA SR, SUDHIR U

Department of Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bangalore, India

ABSTRACT

Involvement of the central nervous system in malaria is exclusively a feature of infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Neurological manifestations such as altered mentation, seizure, coma, extra pyramidal symptoms, peripheral neuropathy and neuropsychiatric illnesses have been reported in Falciparum malaria (F. malaria). We report a case of transient opsoclonus-myoclonus in a 40-year-old lady with F. malaria, a clinical entity described only once previously (opsoclonus) in the medical literature. The patient improved following anti-malarial therapy.

Keywords: Falciparum malaria, opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome, cerebral malaria, cytoadherence

Correspondence author: HS SUNIL

Department of Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, New BEL Road, Bangalore– 560032, India

Tel: +91-80-2360999 Ext 2672

E mail: sunilhsdoc@yahoo.com

Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (3): 199-202