AIM:
To study the pentoxyfylline as an adjuvant therapy in treatment of severe falciparum malaria in patients of sickle cell anaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Patients having clinical features suggestive of severe falciparum malaria (according to WHO guidelines) excluding pregnant woman were investigated for sickling test and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Biochemical and haematological investigations e.g hemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte count, differential count, urine for sugar , albumin, red cell , pus cell, hemoglobin, serum for direct and indirect bilirubin, AST, ALT, alkalaine phosphatase, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium were done on the day of asmission and on 3rd and 8th day. Detailed daily clinical examination was done. Forty cases of severe falciparum malaria with sickle cell disease were studied. Twenty cases treated with quinine and pentoxyfylline and other twenty cases were treated with quinine only.

RESULT:
Patients who received pentoxyfylline and quinine had less duration of unconsciousness, had significant fall of bilirubin concentration as compared to those received quinine only. There was no significant difference in BUN and overall mortality between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:
This study shows that simultaneous administration of pentoxyfylline and quinine leads to early recovery from coma and reduction of serum bilirubin concentration . So pentoxyfylline may be useful in severe falciparum malaria in sickle cell disease.