Anaphylactic Reaction to Penicillin in Malaria-Infected Patients: A Case Study and Implications for Clinical Management

Mwende Wairimu G.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                         ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, often necessitating a combination of antimalarial and antibiotic treatments to manage both the primary infection and secondary bacterial complications. This review focuses on a critical case study involving a 35-year-old male with recurrent malaria who experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction to penicillin, highlighting the complex interplay between malaria management and drug allergies. The patient, already compromised by malaria, developed anaphylaxis shortly after receiving penicillin for a suspected bacterial infection. Despite immediate treatment, including epinephrine, antihistamines, and corticosteroids, the patient’s condition worsened due to the exacerbation of symptoms of malaria, leading to a fatal outcome. This case underscores the diagnostic and management challenges of drug allergies in malaria-infected patients, emphasizing the need for improved allergy assessment protocols, better training for healthcare providers, and enhanced patient education. The review advocates for the development of comprehensive allergy management strategies, improved allergy history documentation, and ongoing research to refine drug allergy testing and treatment protocols. Effective management of drug allergies, particularly in complex infection scenarios, is essential for optimizing patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Keywords: Anaphylaxis, Penicillin Allergy, Malaria, Drug Reactions, Allergy Management, Clinical Protocols.

CITE AS: Mwende Wairimu G. (2024). Anaphylactic Reaction to Penicillin in Malaria-Infected Patients: A Case Study and Implications for Clinical Management. Research Output Journal of Biological and Applied Science 4(2):56-60. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJBAS/2024/425660