Imported Malaria Caused by Plasmodium falciparum: Assessment of Six Cases
Malaria is an important infectious disease affecting all over the world, notably the tropical and subtropical countries. The most severe form of the disease is Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Malaria cases due to P. falciparum seen endemically in Africa are increasingly observed also in our country a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Flora Infeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.floradergisi.org/managete/fu_folder/2020-02/2020-25-02-256-261.pdf |
| Summary: | Malaria is an important infectious disease affecting all over the world, notably the tropical and subtropical countries. The most severe form of the disease is Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Malaria cases due to P. falciparum seen endemically in Africa are increasingly observed also in our country as a result of increased international travels. In this study, six malaria cases of P. falciparum of foreign-origin followed up in our department were assessed. All of the patients were males, and the mean age was 39.3 years. All of the cases had a history of working in endemic regions (Cameroon, Liberia, and Ivory Coast). The diagnosis was made with the observation of the parasite on thick and thin blood smear slides stained with Giemsa method. P. falciparum was determined in all of the patients. The most common symptoms encountered in the patients were fever, weakness, nausea, and vomitus. Higher levels of C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined in all of the patients. Platelet count was < 150.000 and mean hemoglobin level was 12.4 g/dL in all of the patients. One patient was followed up in the intensive care unit due to altered mental status and acute renal failure. Four patients were treated with artemether-lumefantrine, one patient was treated with artemether-lumefantrine + doxycycline, and one patient was treated with artemether-lumefantrine + clindamycin. All of the patients were discharged with full recovery. In individuals acquiring P. falciparum malaria from malaria-endemic regions during international travels, immune response cannot be obtained due to not having come into contact with this microorganism previously, and thus the likelihood of a more severe course of the disease is higher. Therefore, early diagnosis and correct treatment are the most important factors affecting the clinical course. |
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| ISSN: | 1300-932X 1300-932X |