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Case ReportOpen Access
Guillain-Barre's Syndrome Associated with Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria: Role of Plasma Exchange
Sithinamsuwan P 
,
Sinsawaiwong S ,
Limapichart K
,
Sinsawaiwong S ,
Limapichart K Guillain-Barre's syndrome (GBS) associated with malarial infection is a rare condition
reported in the literature. We report a case of Plasmodium falciparum (PF) malarial infection with
Guillain-Barre's syndrome complicated by respiratory failure and review of the literature. Our patient
gradually improved after treatment with plasma exchange. Review of the literature showed 11 cases
of GBS associated with malaria. Four of 8 patients with GBS associated with PF had respiratory
failure, whereas, none of the patients with GBS associated with Plasmodium vivax (PV) developed
respiratory failure. Three of four patients with respiratory failure died and one who survived was
treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Our patient was the second case to survive after treat-
ment with plasma exchange. The role of plasma exchange, the pathogenesis of malaria in GBS and
the mechanism that induced more severe GBS in PF than in PV were discussed.
Key word : Guillain-Barre's Syndrome, Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria, Plasma Exchange
reported in the literature. We report a case of Plasmodium falciparum (PF) malarial infection with
Guillain-Barre's syndrome complicated by respiratory failure and review of the literature. Our patient
gradually improved after treatment with plasma exchange. Review of the literature showed 11 cases
of GBS associated with malaria. Four of 8 patients with GBS associated with PF had respiratory
failure, whereas, none of the patients with GBS associated with Plasmodium vivax (PV) developed
respiratory failure. Three of four patients with respiratory failure died and one who survived was
treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Our patient was the second case to survive after treat-
ment with plasma exchange. The role of plasma exchange, the pathogenesis of malaria in GBS and
the mechanism that induced more severe GBS in PF than in PV were discussed.
Key word : Guillain-Barre's Syndrome, Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria, Plasma Exchange
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