blackwater fever

blackwater fever
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

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a rare and serious complication of malignant tertian (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 inadequate treatment with quinine; it is marked by fever, bloody urine, jaundice, vomiting, enlarged liver and spleen, anaemia, exhaustion, and - in fatal cases - a reduced flow of urine resulting from a blockage of the kidney tubules. Treatment involves rest, administration of alkaline fluids and intravenous glucose, and blood transfusions.

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a severe complication of malaria characterized by intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, renal failure, and passage of dark brown or red urine, seen in association with intermittent quinine therapy, with Plasmodium falciparum infection in the nonimmune, or with interrupted exposure in the partially immune. The hemolysis is believed to be caused primarily by an autoimmune response to the infection. Called also malarial hemoglobinuria.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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,… …   Wikipedia

  • 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 — [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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