Hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly (HMS) in a patient with β thalassaemia syndrome

Pan Afr Med J. 2014 Nov 21:19:310. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2014.19.310.5576. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

This report describes a case of hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly in a patient with a thalassaemia syndrome. Increased haemoglobin A2 is valuable for the diagnosis of common forms of β-thalassemia, while haemoglobin F (HbF) helps in diagnosis of the rarer δβ- forms. Thalassemia is characterised by splenomegaly and is common in malaria endemic areas. Hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly is also a common cause of massive splenomegaly in malaria endemic areas. Splenic enlargement regresses with prolonged antimalarial therapy.

Keywords: Ghana; Hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly; Massive splenomegaly; Proguanil; béta thalassemia syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Malaria / complications*
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Splenomegaly / drug therapy
  • Splenomegaly / parasitology*
  • beta-Thalassemia / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Antimalarials