Can malaria cause kidney failure?

Yes: The malaria parasite lives and divides in the red blood cells. In some forms of malaria, there are so many parasites that the red cells start getting trapped in the small blood vessels, blocking blood flow. In addition there can be massive destruction of red cells in the blood vessels, fragments of which block smaller blood vessels. This can cause kidney failure.

Yes: Severe malaria causes heavy burden of disease with periodic high fever, chills, and fatigue. Severe forms may cause hemolysis (breakdown of red cells) and hypotension, both of which can be associated with kidney failure and even death.