Severe imported malaria in adults: retrospective study of 20 cases.

Full Abstract

Severe imported malaria is an important problem in many countries in which this disease is not endemic. This retrospective study describes the characteristics of 20 adults with severe imported malaria admitted to our intensive care unit from 1991 through 2007. All episodes were caused by Plasmodium falciparum and all patients had returned from sub-Saharan Africa, except for one transfusion recipient. All persons were considered non-immune, and none had taken appropriate chemoprophylaxis. The median time between the initiation of symptoms and the diagnosis was seven days. Five patients died (mortality rate = 25%). A higher frequency of unrousable coma and acidosis and a higher median Apache II score at admission was noted in the persons who died. Mortality by severe malaria remains high despite high quality management, which highlights the importance of chemoprophylaxis and early diagnosis and treatment.

Author information

Author/s: González, Ana (A); Nicolás, Josep M (JM); Muñoz, Jose (J); Castro, Pedro (P); Mas, Jordi (J); Valls, Ma Eugenia (ME); Coma, Josep R (JR); Aibar, Jesús (J); Gascon, Joaquim (J);

Affiliation: Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, CRESIB, CIBERESP, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. portana1(-atsign-)gmail.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 81 (issue 4) : pp 595-9

Dates: Created 2009/10/09; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19815872, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.