Quartan malaria nephropathy — DTM&H MCQ

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EasyMalariaQuartan malaria nephropathyDTM&H

A 10-year-old child in West Africa has oedema and heavy proteinuria. There is a history of chronic low-grade Plasmodium malariae infection and enlarged spleen. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: A — Quartan malaria nephropathy

Quartan malaria nephropathy is the single best answer because chronic P. malariae infection is associated with immune-complex nephrotic syndrome in children. Post-streptococcal nephritis is plausible in a related presentation, but it is less appropriate because it does not fit the key discriminator in this vignette. The teaching point is that falciparum causes severe acute disease, whereas P. malariae is classically linked with chronic quartan nephropathy.

Reference: WHO Guidelines for malaria, 2025; UKHSA Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers from the UK, 2025; CDC Yellow Book 2026