[Plasmodium vivax infection: not so benign].

Morbidity and mortality during malaria are mostly due to Plasmodium falciparum infection. However, it becomes clear that Plasmodium vivax is responsible for a dramatic toll in many endemic areas except Africa. Cerebral malaria, severe respiratory distress and severe anaemia were recently reported from different settings, with severe disease peaking at an earlier age than those of Plasmodium falciparum. Since infected red blood cells sequestration was not reported with Plasmodium vivax infection, mechanisms at the origin of these complications are still a mater of debate. The major issue addressed in that paper is to alert clinicians on the -potential severity of this "benign tertian fever".