Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica
Volume 26, Issue 5, 2008, Pages 282-284

Clinical presentation and complications of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in two populations: Travelers and immigrants [Presentación clínica y complicaciones de malaria importada por Plasmodium falciparum en dos grupos de población: Viajeros e inmigrantes] (Article)

Salvadó E.* , Pinazo M.J. , Muñoz J. , Alonso D. , Naniche D. , Mayor A. , Quintó L. , Gascón J.
  • a Sección de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Sección de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic, Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
  • b Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Red Asistencial de Manresa, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
  • c Sección de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • d Sección de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • e Laboratorio de Malaria, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • f Laboratorio de Malaria, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • g Sección de Estadística, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • h Sección de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Salud Internacional, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most aggressive form of this disease, with 90% of cases occurring in Africa. Only natives of malaria-endemic areas can acquire a certain degree of immunity to the disease. It is not known whether immunity is lost when contact with the parasite is discontinued. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Retrospective study of cases of falciparum malaria imported from Africa, performed in Hospital Clinic, Barcelona (Spain), from 1999 to 2005. Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory parameters were compared between travelers and African immigrants. RESULTS. Among 187 patients, 85 were immigrants from an endemic area who had been living in a non-endemic area for more than 5 years. These patients presented fewer complications than travelers. DISCUSSION. These data may point to a certain persistence of immunity in previously semi-immune persons who migrate to non-endemic areas.

Author Keywords

Complications travel Malaria Plasmodium falciparum Africa

Index Keywords

immigrant Negro analytical parameters clinical feature human travel controlled study Malaria male Spain female parasite immunity Africa Article major clinical study adult endemic disease Plasmodium falciparum retrospective study
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-44149092453&partnerID=40&md5=31bd724b22f07aab446611da18240b27
ISSN: 0213005X
Cited by: 30
Original Language: Spanish