Association between Simple Uncomplicated Falciparum Malarial Infection&Acute Severe Asthmatic Attack in Khartoum State 2009

Background: Respiratory symptoms and signs can develop in uncomplicated falciparum malaria in adults' patients, with a reported frequency of 4%?18%; however, in some early studies, the denominator was unclear, accuracy of speciation was not ensured, radiology was often lacking, and secondary bacterial infections were included. In addition, respiratory symptoms and signs are common in uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malaria, particularly in African children. In these children, there is considerable clinical overlap with the features of pneumonia. Yet; most studies focusing on pulmonary involvement with malarial infection are case reports or included small number of patients. Method: A descriptive cross sectional hospital based study it was carried out in the main central hospitals in Khartoum state during the period from June 2008-April 2009; 50 adult patients with acute severe asthmatic attack has been chosen by simple randomization. Data collected through questionnaire by the researcher. The degree of severity of asthma assessed clinically and by measurement of PEFM. All patient investigated by thick& thin films for malaria to find out the degree of parasitemia& to identify the plasmodium species respectively. Data include the different variables age, gender, duration of hospital admission& the signs and the symptoms of severe asthma along with laboratory data support a diagnosis of falciparum malaria with degree of parasitemia analyzed using the suitable statics measurements. Results: The result demonstrate that most of the patients were females (68%), their mean age within 40 years; all the patients reside in Khartoum state without any history of travelling to any other endemics states. All patients admitted to Asthma care unit, Blood film for malaria is positive in (24%), who had the lower PEFR mean of 166l/min of their best predicted with higher respiratory rate greater than 30 cycle/minute with lower oxygen saturations 85%-95% with long duration of (5- 10 days) hospital admission. Recommendations: Patients with acute severe asthmatic attack with febrile illness in endemic areas should have prompt investigation of malaria parasites& should receive antimalarial treatment along with standard measurement of bronchial asthma and more study in this topic is highly recommended.