Post-injury malaria: a risk factor for wound infection and protracted recovery

Authors: Sundet M.; Heger T.; Husum H.

Source: Tropical Medicine & International Health, Volume 9, Number 2, February 2004 , pp. 238-242(5)

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Abstract:

Summary Objective

To assess the impact of post-injury falciparum malaria on morbidity parameters in Cambodia. Method

Retrospective study of 227 trauma patients managed at a surgical centre in Battambang, Cambodia. Results

Within 10 days of the injury, 42.7% of the study population developed symptomatic malaria. In patients with post-injury malaria, the rate of wound infection was 36.1% compared with 10.0% in patients without symptomatic malaria (95% confidence interval for difference 15.2–36.9%). The average hospital stay in the post-injury malaria group was 31.2 days compared with 19.4 days in the patients without the complication (95% confidence interval for difference 7.2–16.4 days). Conclusion

Symptomatic malaria after trauma is common in Cambodia. Post-injury malaria seems to increase the risk of wound infection, delays postoperative recovery, and thus adds to the burden of trauma.

Keywords: malaria; trauma; postoperative; wound infection; Cambodia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.01190.x

Publication date: 2004-02-01