Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in neuro-malaria

Abstract

We report a case of a 37-year-old patient with Plasmodium falciparum infestation who developed posterior reversible encephalopathy. In cerebral malaria, microscopic studies have shown endothelial dysfunction and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Data from the literature show that one of the mechanisms of posterior reversible encephalopathy may be capillary leakage and acute disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Our case supports the theory of blood-brain barrier disruption being a key factor in the causation of cerebral malaria.