Splenic abscess: Plasmodium vivax with secondary Escherichia coli infection

Abstract

Splenic abscess is a rare clinical entity as described in literature. The incidence is in the range of 0.14–0.7% and it has a high mortality rate. Hence, it is important to know its clinical presentation and complications, so that it can be treated early. We report a 40-year-old diabetic man who presented with fever with chills and rigor for the last 9 days and heaviness in the left hypochondrium for the last 6 days. He was initially diagnosed as having splenomegaly due to Plasmodium vivax ( P. vivax), but was later found to have a splenic abscess due to Escherichia coli ( E. coli). This was successfully managed by catheter drainage (CD) and antibiotic treatment.