Delayed Hemolytic Anemia after Treatment with Artesunate: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, few cases of post-artemisinin delayed hemolysis have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

All cases of post-artemisinin delayed hemolysis were reported from non-middle east areas. No case of post-artemisinin delayed hemolysis has yet been reported from this region. In this paper, we describe a case of post-artemisinin delayed hemolysis in an Iranian female. Also previous reports have been reviewed.

METHODS

Patient's data including demographic characteristics, past medical, drug and travelling history, present illness, vital signs, laboratory data, clinical course of current illness and follow-up findings were considered.

RESULTS

A 27-year-old female with a recent travel history to Ghana admitted with severe falciparum malaria. She was successfully treated with parenteral artesunate. However, 12 days post artesunate treatment she returned with dark urine, malaise and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering clinical course and base on a reliable causality assessment scale, post artesunate delay hemolytic anemia was possible.