Blackwater fever

Blackwater fever

Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria characterized by intravascular haemolysis, haemoglobinuria and kidney failure. Blackwater fever is caused by heavy parasitization of red blood cells with "Plasmodium falciparum". There has been at least one case, however, attributed to "Plasmodium vivax". [ [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1833024 Blackwater fever caused by Plasmodium vivax infection in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome ] ]

Presentation

Within a few days of onset there are chills, with rigor, high fever, jaundice, vomiting, rapidly progressive anemia and the passage of dark red or black urine.

The cause of hemolytic crises in this disease is unknown. There is rapid and massive destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) with the production of hemoglobinemia (hemoglobin in the blood, but outside the RBCs), hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine), intense jaundice, anuria (passage of less than 50 milliliter of urine in a day), and finally death in the majority of cases.

The most probable explanation for blackwater fever is an autoimmune reaction.

Treatment

The treatment is antimalarial chemotherapy, intravenous fluid and sometimes supportive care such as intensive care and dialysis.

Blackwater fever is a serious complication of malaria, but cerebral malaria has a higher mortality rate. Blackwater fever is much less common today than it was before 1950. [cite journal |author=Bruneel F, Gachot B, Wolff M, "et al" |title= [Blackwater fever] |language=French |journal=Presse médicale (Paris, France : 1983) |volume=31 |issue=28 |pages=1329–34 |year=2002 |pmid=12355996 |doi=] It may be that quinine plays a role in triggering the condition, and this drug is no longer commonly used for malaria prophylaxis. Quinine remains important for treatment of malaria.

Cultural references

* "Out of Africa", a film based on the experiences of author Isak Dinesen.
* "At Play in the Fields of the Lord," a novel by Peter Matthiessen.
* "West with the Night", African memoir by aviatrix Beryl Markham.
* "Burmese Days", a novel by George Orwell; several associates of Flory are noted to have died of blackwater fever in chapter 5.
* "The Heart of the Matter", a novel by Graham Greene.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • blackwater fever — blackwater lack wa*ter n. any of several human or animal diseases characterized by dark urine resulting from rapid breakdown of red blood cells; used especially of {blackwater fever}, a severe form of malaria caused by the blood parasite… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • blackwater fever — n a rare febrile complication of repeated malarial attacks that is marked by destruction of blood cells with hemoglobinuria and extensive kidney damage * * * a rare and serious complication of malignant tertian (falciparum) malaria in which there …   Medical dictionary

  • blackwater fever — [blak′wôt΄ər] n. a severe, often fatal complication of malaria characterized by a rapid heartbeat and the passing of dark urine …   English World dictionary

  • blackwater fever — Pathol. a severe form of malaria characterized by kidney damage and hemoglobinuria resulting in urine that is dark red or black. [1880 85] * * * ▪ pathology also called  malarial hemoglobinuria         one of the less common yet most dangerous… …   Universalium

  • blackwater fever — a rare and serious complication of malignant (falciparum) malaria in which there is massive destruction of the red blood cells, leading to the presence of the blood pigment haemoglobin in the urine. The condition is probably brought on by… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • blackwater fever — noun Date: 1884 a febrile complication of repeated malarial attacks that is characterized especially by extensive kidney damage and urine discolored by heme from blood …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • blackwater fever — malaria …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • blackwater fever — noun a severe form of malaria in which blood cells are rapidly destroyed, resulting in dark urine …   English new terms dictionary

  • blackwater fever — black′water fe′ver n. pat a severe form of malaria characterized by kidney damage and hemoglobinuria resulting in dark urine • Etymology: 1880–85 …   From formal English to slang

  • blackwater fever — /ˌblækwɔtə ˈfivə/ (say .blakwawtuh feevuh) noun a severe form of malaria found chiefly in the tropics but occasionally in the southern US …  

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