Signos de alarma en pacientes con paludismo importado por Plasmodium falciparum / Warning signs in patients with imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Introducción: El paludismo es una enfermedad febril aguda potencialmente mortal causada por parásitos que se transmiten al ser humano por la picadura de mosquitos del género Anopheles. De los 214 millones de casos de paludismo registrados en 2016, la mayoría de ellos se producen en niños menores de cinco años en África subsahariana. La mortalidad está dada por la presencia de sus complicaciones que deben ser detectadas y tratadas precozmente. Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de signos de alarma, y determinar su relación con otras variables clínicas y de laboratorio. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de 47 pacientes adultos con paludismo por Plasmodium falciparum importado, ingresados en el Departamento de Medicina del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, desde enero de 2016 a diciembre de 2018. Los datos fueron procesados en una base de datos en Microsoft Excel y luego analizados en el programa estadístico SPSS 11,5. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes del sexo masculino, con una media de edad de 35,9 años. Fue significativa la relación existente entre los signos de alarma y la severidad del cuadro clínico, la hiperparasitemia, el supuesto estado no inmune de los pacientes, trombocitopenia y la demora en el ingreso. La respuesta al tratamiento es excelente con los esquemas combinados utilizados a base de quinina. Conclusiones: Los signos de alarma, dentro de los cuales podemos incluir la trombocitopenia, constituyen elementos importantes para poder prevenir futuras complicaciones(AU)

Introduction: Malaria is an acute potentially fatal febrile disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes from the genus Anopheles. Most of the 214 million malaria cases reported in the year 2016 were children aged under five years from Sub-Saharan Africa. Mortality is due to the presence of complications which should be detected and treated timely. Objective: Identify the presence of warning signs and determine their relationship to other clinical and laboratory variables. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted of 47 adult patients with imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria admitted to the Medicine Department of Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute from January 2016 to December 2018. The data obtained were processed in a Microsoft Excel database and then analyzed with the statistical software SPSS 11.5. Results: Male patients prevailed, with a mean age of 35.9 years. A significant relationship was found between warning signs and severity of the clinical status, hyperparasitemia, the supposed non-immune status of patients, thrombocytopenia and admission delay. An excellent response was obtained to treatment with combined quinine-based schemes. Conclusions: Warning signs, among them thrombocytopenia, are important to prevent future complications(AU)

Prevalence of malaria relapse: systematic review with meta-analysis / Prevalência de recaída por malária: revisão sistemática com metanálise / Prevalencia de recaída por malaria: revisión sistemática con metaanálisis

ABSTRACT Objective: systematic review with a meta-analysis of the prevalence of malaria relapse. Method: it consisted in a search for cross-sectional studies, carried out in three databases, without application of filters. A total of 1,924 articles were identified, selected based on eligibility criteria. The selection was made in pairs from the reading of the titles, abstracts and text. The meta-analysis was performed with a statistical program. Results: a sample of 1,308 patients with malaria, ranging from 70 to 586 patients in the study. Relapse was estimated at 0.47%, with a 95% confidence interval and 99.04% of squared i. In the included studies, the prevalence of relapse ranged from 17.00% to 92.85%. The result of the meta-analysis is considered relevant, despite the heterogeneity. Conclusion: relapse is a phenomenon that can contribute to the maintenance of the endemicity of malaria in the world and to introduce it in non-affected areas. In addition, there is the need for advancement in the production of knowledge regarding this disease, to qualify the research methods on prevalence.

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar uma revisão sistemática com metanálise da prevalência de recaída por malária. Método: consistiu na busca por estudos transversais, realizada em três bases de dados, sem aplicação de filtros. Foram identificados 1.924 artigos, selecionados a partir de critérios de elegibilidade. A seleção foi realizada em par na sequência de leitura dos títulos, resumos e texto. A metanálise foi realizada com programa estatístico. Resultados: uma amostra de 1.308 pacientes com malária, variando de 70 a 586 pacientes nos estudo. A recaída foi estimada em 0,47%, com intervalo de confiança de 95% e i quadrado de 99,04%. Nos estudos incluídos, a prevalência de recaída variou de 17,00% a 92,85%. Considera-se o resultado da metanálise relevante, apesar da heterogeneidade. Conclusão: a recaída é um fenômeno que pode contribuir para a manutenção da endemicidade da malária no mundo, além de poder introduzi-la em áreas não afetadas. Além disso, há necessidade, para avanço na produção de conhecimento referente a essa doença, de qualificar os métodos de pesquisa sobre prevalência.

RESUMEN Objetivo: realizar una revisión sistemática con metaanálisis de la prevalencia de recaída por malaria. Método: consistió en la búsqueda por estudios transversales, realizada en tres bases de datos, sin aplicación de filtros. Fueron identificados 1.924 artículos, seleccionados a partir de criterios de elegibilidad. La selección fue realizada en pares en la secuencia de lectura de los títulos, resúmenes y texto. El metaanálisis fue realizado con un programa estadístico. Resultados: una muestra de 1.308 pacientes con malaria, variando de 70 a 586 pacientes en el estudio. La recaída fue estimada en 0,47%, con intervalo de confianza de 95% e i cuadrado de 99,04%. En los estudios incluidos, la prevalencia de recaída varió de 17,00% a 92,85%. Se considera el resultado de la metaanálisis relevante, a pesar de la heterogeneidad. Conclusión: la recaída es un fenómeno que puede contribuir para el mantenimiento de la endemicidad de la malaria en el mundo, además de poder introducirla en áreas no afectadas. Además de eso, es necesario de calificar los métodos de investigación sobre prevalencia para el avance en la producción de conocimiento referente a esa enfermedad.

Caractéristiques cliniques, biologiques et évolution des cas de paludisme de l'adulte hospitalisés en médécine interne à l'hôpital de zone de Come

Objectif: Décrire les signes et l'évolution du paludisme en médecine interne.Patients et méthodes : Etude transversale, descriptive sur 2 ans (1er janvier 2012 au 31 décembre 2013) en médecine interne de l'hôpital de Zone de Comè (Bénin). Etaient inclus, les patients chez qui le paludisme a été diagnostiqué en cours d'hospitalisation. Les données ont été analysées avec SPSS 18.0.Résultats : 45 cas de paludisme ont été diagnostiqués parmi les 317 cas de fièvre enregistrés pen-dant la période d'étude, soit 14,2%. La sex-ratio était de 0,88 et l'âge moyen de 36,69±13,76 ans. Les autres symptômes les plus fréquents étaient l'asthénie (55,6%), les vomissements (22,2%) et les cé-phalées (20,0%). 25 patients (55,6%) avaient au moins un critère de gravité ; 4,4% étaient décédés et 6,6% ont été transféré vers un niveau supérieur. Conclusion : Le paludisme est fréquent en Médecine. Promptement pris en charge, l'évolution est souvent favorable

Diagnóstico y manejo de la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino en fetos de gestantes provenientes de zonas endémicas para la malaria / Diagnosis and management of intrauterine growth restriction in fetuses of pregnant women from endemic areas for malaria

RESUMEN Introducción: La malaria es una enfermedad infecciosa tropical de gran impacto epidemiológico a nivel mundial; las poblaciones con mayor susceptibilidad de padecerla son los niños menores de 5 años y las gestantes, en quienes, se pude no solo comprometer la salud de la madre sino también la del producto y su desarrollo, pudiendo ocurrir diferentes desenlaces adversos entre ellos la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU), incrementando sustancialmente las tasas de mortalidad materna y perinatal. Es importante establecer un diagnóstico preciso y oportuno de la RCIU en fetos de gestantes que padecen de malaria, con el fin de llevar a cabo un enfoque de seguimiento y de manejo que puedan disminuir las complicaciones asociadas a la enfermedad. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en la base de datos de Cochrane y PubMed, libros de la especialidad y consensos de sociedades científicas, relativos a los términos de: malaria during pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction y malaria and fetal growth restriction. Se seleccionaron finalmente 42 artículos para análisis completo y crítico, que justificara la elaboración de esta revisión. Conclusión: esta revisión aporta elementos para establecer un alto grado de sospecha diagnóstica de malaria durante el embarazo en zonas endémicas para la malaria; además revela la necesidad de implementar protocolos de manejo especifico ante la RCIU según sea la etiología; ya que estas medidas impactaran positivamente en los resultados adversos de la enfermedad, sin olvidar que lo primordial es proteger plenamente a las mujeres contra la malaria desde el comienzo del embarazo hasta el parto.

Malaria complicada en el Chocó: hallazgos clínicos y comparación de datos con el sistema de vigilancia / Complicated Malaria in Chocó: clinical findings and data comparison with the monitoring system

RESUMEN Objetivos Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de casos de malaria complicada y establecer la concordancia de esta información con el sistema de vigilancia. Metodología La información se obtuvo de historias clínicas de casos informados en 2011 en el sistema de vigilancia atendidos en el Hospital San Francisco. Se seleccionó una muestra de 62 historias clínicas de 113 casos. Para definir que la historia clínica correspondía a malaria complicada se tuvo en cuenta la presencia de gota gruesa positiva con uno o más criterios de complicación, según la guía clínica nacional y la ficha del sistema de vigilancia. La significancia estadística se determinó con el Chi2 y el estadístico Kappa. Resultados El 37% de los casos presentó una complicación, el 63% presentaron dos o más complicaciones. Las principales complicaciones fueron trombocitopenia y anemia severa, seguido de complicación hepática, hiperparasitemia, insuficiencia renal y malaria cerebral. En tres de los 54 casos, se usó el Artesunato intravenoso. Se utilizó Quinina en el 59,2% de los casos. La comparación de variables demográficas y especie parasitaria entre las fuentes utilizadas no muestra diferencias significativas, pero el acuerdo general de tipo de complicación fue casi nulo. Las principales complicaciones reportadas no aparecen en la ficha de notificación. Discusión Es necesario continuar otros estudios con el fin de contribuir en la caracterización clínica de la malaria en el Departamento y las intervenciones de manejo. Se recomiendan ajustes a la ficha para fortalecer el análisis y la toma de decisiones.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the epidemiological and clinical cases of complicated malaria and to establish the concordance of this information in the surveillance system. Methodology Information was obtained from medical records of cases reported in 2011 in the surveillance system and the Hospital San Francisco. We selected a clinical sample of 62 stories of 113 cases and health professionals reviewed the information. The presence of positive thick drop with one or more criteria of complication was taken into account to define if the clinical history corresponded to complicated malaria, according to guide national clinic and tab of the surveillance system. Statistical significance was determined with Chi square and the Kappa statistic. Results The 37.0% of cases presented a complication, 63.0% had two or more complications. Major complications were thrombocytopenia and severe anemia, followed by hepatic complication, hiperparasitemia, renal insufficiency and cerebral malaria. In 3 of the 54 cases intravenous artesunate was used, quinine was used in 59.2%. Comparison of demographic variables and parasitic species between history and the surveillance system show no significant difference but type of complication was almost nil. The major reported complications do not appear on the notification tab. Discussion Further studies need to be continued in order to contribute to the clinical characterization of malaria in the Department and Management interventions. Adjustments to format are recommended to strengthen analysis and decision-making.(AU)

Commercial drugs containing flavonoids are active in mice with malaria and in vitro against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

BACKGROUND The main strategy to control human malaria still relies on specific drug treatment, limited now by Plasmodium falciparum-resistant parasites, including that against artemisinin derivatives. Despite the large number of active compounds described in the literature, few of them reached full development against human malaria. Drug repositioning is a fast and less expensive strategy for antimalarial drug discovery, because these compounds are already approved for human use. OBJECTIVES To identify new antimalarial drugs from compounds commercially available and used for other indications. METHODS Accuvit®, Ginkgo® and Soyfit®, rich in flavonoids, and also the standard flavonoids, hesperidin, quercetin, and genistein were tested against blood cultures of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum, as well as chloroquine, a reference antimalarial. Inhibition of parasite growth was measured in immunoenzymatic assay with monoclonal anti-P. falciparum antibodies, specific to the histidine-rich protein II. Tests in mice with P. berghei malaria were based on percent of parasitaemia reduction. These compounds were also evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity. FINDINGS The inhibition of parasite growth in vitro showed that Accuvit® was the most active drug (IC50 5 ± 3.9 μg/mL). Soyfit® was partially active (IC50 13.6 ± 7.7 μg/mL), and Ginkgo® (IC50 38.4 ± 14 μg/mL) was inactive. All such compounds were active in vivo at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Accuvit® and quercetin induced the highest reduction of P. berghei parasitaemia (63% and 53%, respectively) on day 5 after parasite inoculation. As expected, the compounds tested were not toxic. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The antimalarial activity of Accuvit® was not related to flavonoids only, and it possibly results from synergisms with other compounds present in this drug product, such as multivitamins. Multivitamins in Accuvit® may explain its effect against the malaria parasites. This work demonstrated for the first time the activity of these drugs, which are already marketed.

El análisis de orina como herramienta diagnóstica en casos de malaria grave / Urinalysis as a diagnostic tool in severe malaria

Resumen La malaria produce complicaciones y muerte especialmente en poblaciones con acceso limitado a la atención en salud. La malaria grave puede reconocerse tempranamente mediante la detección en la orina de hallazgos como la hematuria, la coluria y la proteinuria. Se hizo una revisión narrativa basada en estudios sobre malaria grave y el empleo del análisis de orina mediante la consulta de 91 publicaciones. Mediante el análisis de la orina, se pueden detectar alteraciones metabólicas y lesiones en distintos órganos. En estudios recientes en Colombia se ha confirmado su utilidad como apoyo en el diagnóstico de la disfunción renal, la disfunción hepática y la anemia asociada con hemólisis, las cuales son complicaciones frecuentes en la malaria. El examen constituye una herramienta de fácil aplicación en la consulta ambulatoria y en pacientes hospitalizados para reconocer tempranamente casos complicados, y permite la detección oportuna de diferentes lesiones en el paciente con malaria, contribuyendo así a la reducción de la morbilidad grave y la mortalidad.

Abstract Malaria accounts for a significant morbidity and mortality rate around the world, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare. Some clinical signs in urine, like haematuria, coluria and proteinuria, help for the early diagnosis of severe malaria cases. A narrative review was conducted by analyzing 91 publications on studies about severe malaria cases and the use of urinalysis. A urinalysis can detect metabolic disturbances and organ injury. Its diagnostic utility for frequent complications caused by malaria, such as hepatic injury, kidney dysfunction and hemolysis, has been confirmed by recent Colombian studies. This test is an easy-to-use tool in outpatient clinics and with hospitalized patients to promptly recognize complicated cases, allowing the timely identification of different lesions in patients with malaria, thus contributing to the reduction of severe morbidity and mortality.

Strong renal expression of heat shock protein 70, high mobility group box 1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nitrotyrosine in mice model of severe malaria

Abstract INTRODUCTION Renal damage is a consequence of severe malaria, and is generally caused by sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum -infected erythrocytes in the renal microcirculation, which leads to obstruction, hypoxia, and ischemia. This triggers high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) to send a danger signal through toll-like receptors 2 and 4. This signal up-regulates inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine to re-perfuse the tissue, and also increases heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression. As no study has examined the involvement of intracellular secondary molecules in this setting, the present study compared the renal expressions of HSP70, HMGB1, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine between mice suffered from severe malaria and normal mice. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were divided into an infected group (intraperitoneal injection of 10 6 P. berghei ANKA) and a non-infected group. Renal damage was evaluated using hematoxylin eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of HSP70, HMGB1, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine. RESULTS Significant inter-group differences were observed in the renal expressions of HSP70, HMGB1, and iNOS (p=0.000, Mann-Whitney test), as well as nitrotyrosine (p=0.000, independent t test). The expressions of HSP70 and HMGB1 were strongly correlated (p=0.000, R=1.000). No correlations were observed between iNOS and HMGB, HMGB1 and nitrotyrosine, HSP70 and nitrotyrosine, or iNOS and nitrotyrosine. CONCLUSIONS It appears that HMGB1, HSP70, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine play roles in the renal damage that is observed in mice with severe malaria. Only HSP70 expression is strongly correlated with the expression of HMGB1.

Ruptura esplênica secundária à infeção por Plasmodium falciparum / Splenic rupture secondary to Plasmodium falciparum infection

A ruptura esplênica é uma complicação possível da malária. É importante pela dificuldade diagnóstica, pois um elevado índice de suspeição é necessário para um diagnóstico atempado. Pode condicionar uma hemorragia intraperitoneal e deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial de quadros de dor abdominal, hipotensão e diminuição do hematócrito. Os autores descrevem o caso de um homem de 59 anos, com ruptura esplênica secundária à malária por Plasmodium falciparum, tendo realizado esplenectomia urgente. Com a apresentação do caso, os autores pretendem chamar a atenção para a necessidade de incluir esta afecção no diagnóstico diferencial dos doentes com malária e hipotensão refractária.

Splenic rupture is a possible complication of malaria. Due to its difficult diagnosis, it is important, because a high level of suspicion is needed for a timely diagnosis. It results in intraperitoneal bleeding and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, hypotension and low hematocrit. The authors report the case of a 59-year old man with splenic rupture secondary to malarial infection by Plasmodium Falciparum, who was treated with urgent splenectomy. This case is presented to remind the clinicians of include this entity in the differential diagnosis of patients with malaria and refractory hypotension.

Post-malaria myasthenia gravis

We report a nine-year-old girl who presented with complete drooping of the left eyelid and restriction of medial gaze following an attack of febrile illness. The child was admitted into a rural hospital where she was misdiagnosed and managed as a case of meningitis. She was referred to a tertiary children hospital when her condition was not improving and where she developed the eye signs. She was diagnosed as a case of severe malaria which responded well to quinine therapy. In our neurophysiology clinic, examination revealed partial unilateral left eye ptosis, weak frontalis, neck flexors, fingers extensors & knee flexors. Her investigations revealed positive neostigmine test, decremental response to repetitive nerve stimulation(-15.6%,nasalis), increased jitter in single-fibre electromyography (left frontalis & extensor-digitorum communis) and negative serology for myasthenia gravis antibodies. She showed remarkable improvement after pyridostigmine therapy which continued for three months. Regular follow-up showed no recurrence of her symptoms

Associação entre malária e anemia em área urbana de transmissão do Plasmodium: Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brasil / Association between malaria and anemia in an urban area with Plasmodium transmission: Mâncio Lima, Acre State, Brazil / Asociación entre malaria y anemia en un área urbana de transmisión del Plasmodium: Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brasil

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a prevalência de anemia atribuível à malária na população urbana residente no Município de Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo de coorte não concorrente com 1.167 pessoas acompanhadas por três meses anteriores à data da entrevista mediante dados do SIVEP-Malária. Foram calculadas as medidas de frequência e a prevalência de anemia em pacientes com e sem histórico de malária recente, conforme as variáveis de interesse. Os resultados mostraram que 50,2% dos indivíduos eram do sexo masculino e 67,96% encontravam-se na faixa etária de 15 anos ou mais. A prevalência geral de anemia foi de 7,1%, sendo maior na faixa etária de 6 meses até 5 anos de idade. Com relação ao histórico de malária recente, verificou-se que 8,3% dos homens que tiveram malária apresentaram anemia. No geral, a prevalência de anemia atribuível à malária foi nulo, exceto para os homens (2,4%) e no bairro Cobal (51,4%). Os resultados demonstram que a prevalência de anemia é baixa e que a contribuição da malária para anemia existe apenas em homens e áreas geográficas específicas.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of malaria-attributable anemia in the urban population of Mâncio Lima, Acre State, Brazil. This was a non-concurrent cohort study of 1,167 persons followed for the three months prior to the interview using data from the SIVEP-Malaria database. Anemia frequency and prevalence rates were calculated in patients with and without a recent history of malaria, according to target variables. 50.2% of the individuals were males, and 67.96% were 15 years or older. Overall anemia prevalence was 7.1%, higher in the 6 months to 5 years age bracket. Some 8.3% of men with a recent history of malaria presented anemia. Overall, prevalence of malaria-attributable anemia was negligible, except in men (2.4%) and the Cobal neighborhood (51.4%). The results showed that anemia prevalence was low and that malaria's contribution to anemia only existed in men and in specific geographic areas.

Resumen: El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la prevalencia de anemia atribuible a la malaria en una población urbana, residente en el Municipio de Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio de cohorte no-concurrente con 1.167 personas acompañadas por tres meses anteriores a la fecha de la entrevista a través de datos del SIVEP-Malaria. Se calcularon las medidas de frecuencia y la prevalencia de anemia en pacientes con y sin historial de malaria reciente, conforme las variables de interés. Los resultados mostraron que un 50,2% de los individuos eran de sexo masculino y 67,96% se encontraban en la franja de edad de 15 años o más. La prevalencia general de anemia fue de un 7,1%, siendo mayor en la franja de edad de 6 meses hasta 5 años de edad. En relación con el historial de malaria reciente, se verificó que un 8,3% de los hombres que tuvieron malaria presentaron anemia. En general, la prevalencia de anemia atribuible a la malaria fue nula, excepto para los hombres (2,4%) y en el barrio Cobal (51,4%). Los resultados demuestran baja prevalencia de anemia y que la contribución de la malaria a la anemia existe solamente en hombres y áreas geográficas específicas.

Hyperreactive malarious splenomegaly and aids: a case report

Malaria is endemic in the North of Brazil. However, Hyperreactive Malarious Splenomegaly (HMS) has been rarely described. Splenomegaly in HIV/Aids infection has a large differential diagnosis, but malaria is a cause of gross splenomegaly, regardless of the HIV status. In this paper, we report the case of a 50-year-old man, HIV positive, with massive splenomegaly and multiple malaria infections in the past. He fulfilled the criteria for HMS, received a short course of anti-malarial treatment and weekly quimioprofilatic Chloroquine. In 9 months, he had great clinical and laboratorial improvement confirming the HMS, a rare diagnosis in Brazil.

Malaria and Vascular Endothelium / A Malária e o Endotélio Vascular

Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with infectious and parasitic diseases can result from both intrinsic mechanisms of the disease and drug intervention. Malaria is an example, considering that the endothelial injury by Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes can cause circulatory disorders. This is a literature review aimed at discussing the relationship between malaria and endothelial impairment, especially its effects on the cardiovascular system. We discuss the implications of endothelial aggression and the interdisciplinarity that should guide the malaria patient care, whose acute infection can contribute to precipitate or aggravate a preexisting heart disease.

O acometimento do sistema cardiovascular em pacientes com doenças infecciosas e parasitárias pode ocorrer tanto por mecanismos intrínsecos à doença como em decorrência de intervenção medicamentosa. A malária é uma dessas doenças, tendo em vista que a agressão endotelial generalizada que se observa na infecção por Plasmodium pode causar distúrbios circulatórios. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir a relação entre malária e o comprometimento endotelial, em especial suas consequências sobre o sistema cardiovascular, a partir de uma revisão da literatura. Discutem-se as repercussões da agressão endotelial, bem como a interdisciplinaridade que deve nortear a atenção ao paciente malárico cuja infecção aguda pode contribuir para precipitar ou agravar doença cardíaca preexistente.

The proportion of fevers attributable to malaria varies significantly between sites in Papua New Guinea

@#Malaria is endemic across lowland Papua New Guinea (PNG) and case management has been based on symptomatic diagnosis and presumptive treatment of fever cases with an antimalarial. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malaria infection among fever cases presenting to 5 purposely selected sentinel health facilities in order to estimate the proportion of patients requiring antimalarial drugs. A total of 1807 fever patients were screened. Overall, 45% of fever patients had a positive malaria blood slide; 35% were infected with Plasmodium falciparum, 9% with P. vivax and 2% with P. malariae. Slide positivity was highest in Dreikikir (75%) and lowest in Wipim (2%). Among patients aged 1-4 years, 22% had moderate to severe anaemia (Hb < 8 g/dI) and 21% of children 2-9 years of age showed signs of splenomegaly (Hackett score 1-5). Comorbidity differed significantly between study sites and was not closely correlated with malaria infection. Clinical diagnosis by health facility staff was malaria for 67% of all fever cases, including 89% of slide-positive and 48% of slide-negative patients. 70% of rapid diagnostic test-negative cases were treated with an antimalarial. It is estimated that due to the lack of parasitological diagnosis the selected health facilities reported an excess of 18% (Dreikikir) to 98% (Wipim) malaria patients on average each month. In consideration of the significant differences in malaria-attributable fevers between study sites, the implementation of parasitological diagnosis in health facilities and administration of antimalarials only to test-positive patients has the potential to significantly improve the management of fever cases and reporting of malaria. A better tailoring to different settings may increase the effectiveness of malaria control interventions.

Caracterización de malaria conforme a sistema de vigilancia de región departamental de salud, Olancho, Honduras 2006-2010 / Malaria characterization based on the malaria surveillance system, Health Departmental Region,Olancho, Honduras, 2006-2010

Antecedentes:La malaria afecta 40% de la población mundial, registrándo se 300 a 500 millones de casos y muriendo un millón por año. En el departamento de Olancho la incidencia en 2010 fue de 5.1/ 1000 habitantes. Objetivo: Caracterizar epidemiológicamente los casos de malaria registrados en el sistema de vigilancia, Departamento de Olancho, periodo 2006-2010. Materiales y Método: estudio descriptivo transversal sobre base de datos del sistema de vigilancia de la malaria, Programa Microsoft Excel, Región Departamental de Salud. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y factores de exposición. Se calcularon tasas y proporciones. Resultados: Se registraron 10,278 casos de malaria en el periodo 2006-2010. La incidencia más alta se registró en 2009 y 2010, con tasas de 486 y 525x105 habitantes, respectivamente. El 54% (5,536) de los casos correspondió al grupo etáreo15–49 años. El 96% (9,876) debido a Plasmodium vivax. El porcentaje de casos de malaria por Plasmodium falciparum disminuyó de 10.7% a 5.3%. El 74% (297/402) de los casos por Plasmodium falciparum ocurrió en hombres. No hubo patrones de estacionalidad. La incidencia por municipio correspondió a Santa María del Real 18.5x105 habitantes (2010), Catacamas 14.0x105(2008) y Juticalpa 10.0x105(2010). Discusión:Los casos predominaron en población económicamente activa sin diferencias por sexo en los casos por Plasmodium vivax, pero afectó tres hombres por cada mujer en los casos por P. falciparum . En 2009 y 2010 ocurrieron las incidencias más altas. Se recomienda realizar estudio de factores de riesgo, especialmente en los municipios con mayor incidencia y evaluar el sistema de vigilancia...

Presentation, complications, and impact of concurrent malaria infection on anticancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is very limited data on the effects of malaria on on‑going anticancer therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult solid tumor patients who contracted malaria while on active anticancer therapy. We noted their demographic profile, clinical course and the effects of malaria infection on their on‑going anticancer therapy. Analysis was done with simple percentages. RESULTS: We analyzed 33 malarial episodes in 30 patients over 3 months. Plasmodium vivax was the most common type of infection (75%). Presenting symptoms included the typical triad of fever with chills and rigors. Malaria caused multiple complications, necessitating hospitalization in half of the patients and intensive care unit care in 1 of 8 patients. Common complications included thrombocytopenia (73%), anemia (67%), hyponatremia (66%), hepatic dysfunction (27%), and hypotension (12%). There were no deaths as a result of malaria. Malaria caused treatment delays with an average of 2.42 days per event. Plasmodium vivax caused more complications and therapy delays, average: 3.7 days per event, while non‑vivax malaria caused an average of 0.5 days delay per event. There was a high level of resistance to chloroquine. CONCLUSION: Malaria is a significant problem in adult solid tumor patients, leading to multiple complications and therapy delays.

Postpartum aplastic anemia presenting as pancytopenia due to malarial infection

Pancytopenia is a condition with decreased numbers of all cell lines. Aplastic anemia is a common cause although malarial infection causing lysis of RBCs may also partly mimic this condition. The infection may also damage the patient's bone marrow resulting in pancytopenia as well. We present the case of a post-partum female patient who reported with fever, body aches and shortness of breath one month after the delivery of her baby. All blood cell counts were decreased and peripheral blood smear showed malarial parasites. Anti-malarial treatment was initiated following which the fever subsided but, despite regular transfusions, the blood counts remained low. Bone marrow biopsy report revealed P. falciparum pigments along with hypocellularity characteristic of severe aplastic anemia. Consequently, bone marrow transplantation was advised as a therapeutic measure. This case report highlights the increased susceptibility of pregnant women to malaria in endemic areas and subsequent aplastic anemia.

Insuffisance renale aigue compliquant un paludisme grave a plasmodium falciparum: prise en charge dans un milieu peu equipe

Les auteurs rapportent un cas d'insuffisance renale aigue classe F selon le critere RIFLE compliquant un paludisme grave chez un enfant de 7 ans; de sexe masculin; pris en charge dans un milieu logistiquement pauvre. La goutte epaisse etait positive avec une Hyperparasitemie a plasmodium falciparum; l'uremie a 143 mg/dl et la creatininemie a 5;0mg/dl. Par manque de dialyse; l'association furosemide a forte dose et dopamine a dose dopaminergique avait permis de controler la surcharge hydrosodee en attendant la resolution de l'insuffisance renale

Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Glomerulonephritis occurs as a rare form of renal manifestation in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Herein, we report a case of falciparum malaria-associated IgA nephropathy for the first time. A 49-yr old male who had been to East Africa was diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Microhematuria and proteinuria along with acute kidney injury developed during the course of the disease. Kidney biopsy showed mesangial proliferation and IgA deposits with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Laboratory tests after recovery from malaria showed disappearance of urinary abnormalities and normalization of kidney function. Our findings suggest that malaria infection might be associated with IgA nephropathy.

Comparison of the clinical profile and complications of mixed malarial infections of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax versus Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection

This study aimed to compare the clinical presentations and complications in patients having mixed malaria infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax with those of patients with malaria due to a P. falciparum mono-infection. The medical records of malaria patients admitted to Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India, during the years 2008-10 were analysed. Inclusion criteria were patients in whom P. falciparum and P vivax coinfection or P. falciparum mono-infection alone was confirmed on peripheral smear examination. Exclusion criteria were patients in whom P vivax infection alone was diagnosed on peripheral smear examination. The sample size was twenty patients diagnosed with mixed infection of P. falciparum and P vivax and 60 patients diagnosed with P falciparum mono-infection. 35% of mixed infections had thrombocytopenia as compared to 51.7% of P falciparum mono-infections. A total of 5% of the mixed infections had renal failure as compared to 16.7% of the falciparum mono-infections. Total bilirubin was raised in 15.8% of mixed infections and in 46.6% of falciparum mono-infections. Abnormal liver enzymes were seen in 36.8% of mixed infections and in 66.6% of falciparum mono-infections. None of the mixed infections had a parasite index over 2% while it was present in 28% of the falciparum mono-infections. Patients with mixed infections were found to have a lower incidence of severe complications such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia, liver and renal dysfunction and a lower parasite index. Thus mixed malaria tends to have a more benign course as compared to malaria due to P. falciparum mono-infection