Journal of Travel Medicine
Volume 19, Issue 6, 2012, Pages 380-382

Plasmodium falciparum-Malaria in pregnant African immigrants often goes unrecognized (Article) (Open Access)

Kantele A.* , Siikamäki H. , Hannila-Handelberg T. , Laitinen K. , Rombo L.
  • a Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PL 348, 00029 HUS, Finland
  • b Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • e Clinical Research Center, Sörmland County Council, Eskilstuna, Sweden, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden

Abstract

We report four cases of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnant African women. They had immigrated to Finland 3 to 13 months earlier. The disease was revealed only by anemia. The diagnosis relied on blood smear which showed a parasitemia <0.2% in three cases. Medical personnel should be informed about the possibility of afebrile forms of malaria in pregnant women even months after immigration. Very low levels of parasitemia may call for a more sensitive diagnostic approach such as polymerase chain reaction. © 2012 International Society of Travel Medicine, 1195-1982.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Nigeria immigrant Finland human medical personnel iron therapy blood smear Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic Kenya lactate dehydrogenase haptoglobin Humans treatment duration anemia Treatment Outcome African Continental Ancestry Group Antimalarials Emigrants and Immigrants case report female diagnostic test pregnancy polymerase chain reaction Article Parasitemia C reactive protein adult Malaria, Falciparum Plasmodium falciparum hemoglobin Plasmodium malariae infection pregnant woman Parasite Load abdominal discomfort hemolysis clindamycin Diagnostic Errors quinine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84871302164&doi=10.1111%2fj.1708-8305.2012.00651.x&partnerID=40&md5=34ca8188b0dc28b5897f5ded1d2377c8
DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2012.00651.x
ISSN: 11951982
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English