Malaria-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia

Abstract
On return from Liberia, a previously healthy 36-yr-old man showed signs of malaria accompanied by severe hemolysis and slight thrombocytopenia. Evidence of a platelet-associated IgG being responsible for the thrombocytopenia was found, in as much as the direct platelet suspension immunofluorescence test and strongly positive, the indirect immunofluorescence test and tests for drug-dependent antibodies at the same time being negative. Autoimmunity may be a contributing mechanism for platelet destruction in acute malaria.