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Query: UMLS:C0024530 (malaria)
 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Six patients with severe and complicated falciparum malaria (6.7 +/- 2.7 WHO criteria) were admitted to our Intensive Care Unit. All patients acquired the disease while travelling in tropical Africa without appropriate chemoprophylaxis. The clinical manifestations included hyperpyrexia (all patients), chills (4), sweating (2), asthenia (3), anorexia (2), headache (1), arthralgias (1), vomiting (4), diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort (3), jaundice (2) and disturbances of consciousness (4). All patients had anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia and acute renal failure, in one case associated with anuria. A low grade parasitemia was observed in two patients and a high grade parasitemia (20%-58% of erythrocytes) in four. Exchange transfusion was performed only in high parasitemic patients and all of them survived. All patients were treated with quinine, a sulfonamide and pyrimethamine. Additionally, five patients received oxytetracycline, doxycycline or clindamycin. Three patients required hemodyalisis. Five patients had delirium, coma or seizures. All patients had at least one sign of hepatic impairment: liver enlargement, jaundice or increased bilirubin or aminotransferase levels. Two patients had spleen enlargement. Laboratory findings suggested disseminated intravascular coagulation in four patients. Four patients developed pulmonary changes and three of them required mechanical ventilation. A Swan-Ganz catheter was placed in four patients. In three of them (two with pulmonary edema) the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was initially increased, which suggested a cardiogenic or hypervolemia mechanism, but soon returned to normal level. One patient with low grade parasitemia died because of adult respiratory distress syndrome after 18 days. In our series, the degree of parasitemia was not related to the severity of the disease.
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PMID:[Severe and complicated malaria. Report of six cases]. 977 80

The clinical presentation of malaria is, in most of cases, a malaria attack. It occurs in 90% of imported cases in France within 30 days after return of endemic area. Characteristic malaria paroxism have three stages: chills, high fever (> 39 degrees C) and sweating stage. In this typical form, parasitaemia is easily disclosed. With the increasing spread of chemoresistance P. falciparum strains, many patients experience non specific symptoms before the onset of paroxysm, often complaining of malaise, headaches, myalgias and anorexia. In some cases temperature did not exceed 38 degrees C and physical examination revealed sometimes liver or splenic enlargement. These atypical presentations can masquerade other diseases such as a viral illness. In those patients blood smears were often negative and malaria diagnosis is carried out only by QBC or parasight test. Treatment of malaria attack needs antimalarial drugs effective against chemoresistant P. falciparum strains. Mefloquine of halofantrine can be delivered with the respect of guidelines prescription, given major side effects observed with these drugs (neuropsychiatric disorders with mefloquine and cardiac arrhythmias with halofantrine). Oral quinine sulfate can be used when the above drugs are not allowed.
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PMID:[Simple malaria attack]. 978 Oct 73

Malaria infections have become an increasing public health problem in Europe, especially those imported into nonendemic areas. The transmission and diffusion of malaria has increased, especially over the last decade, due to changes in agricultural practices, vector resistance to insecticides, and most relevantly, increasing international travel and the resistance of these parasites to chemophrophylaxis. This study investigates the epidemiologic factors if imported malaria in an area of Italy, as related to international travel and prophylaxis by Italian immigrants who have revisited their country of origin. All cases (175) of imported malaria detected at the Laboratory of Microbiology of Ospedali Riuniti in Bergamo, Italy, between 1984 and 1993 were studied epidemiologically for the following variables: age, sex, and nationality; travel destination, length of stay, and date of return; and pathogen(s) detected, chemoprophylaxis used, and clinical symptoms exhibited. A high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was detected in more than three quarters of the cases with 91.4% of these travelers having visited African countries. Only two subjects had received adequate, correct prophylaxis. Fever, headache, and fatigue were experienced most often; however, in a few cases, blood, exchange transfusion, or treatment for splenomegaly were required. The results indicate that there is an emerging public health problem with immigrants who have resided in Italy for some time, revisited their country of origin, and consequently become infected with malaria, with specific prophylaxis not having been provided. This study emphasizes the importance of local epidemiologic studies, effective prophylaxis, and the need for those involved in the travel industry to promote specialized pretravel advice on a routine basis.
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PMID:Ten-year Experience with Imported Malaria in Bergamo, Italy. 981 30

With the current increase of international travel to tropical endemic areas, the incidence of malaria being imported into nonendemic countries has increased significantly. Disagreement concerning malaria chemoprophylaxis and inadequate knowledge of malarious areas, morbidity, and pretravel advise has led to confusion among both health professionals as well as travelers. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate malaria imported into Germany by identifying the high-risk endemic areas, clinical presentations, and chemoprophylactic and therapeutic regimens related to reported cases. Between 1990 and 1993, the 160 nonimmune travelers, all German nationals or residents for more than 10 years, presenting to our travel clinic with microscopically confirmed malaria were investigated. For each, the travel history, chemoprophylaxis used during travel, symptoms, pathological diagnosis, and treatment efficacy were analyzed. Africa (73%), Asia (21%), and Central South America (6%) were the endemic countries visited by our patients, of whom only 3% used the chemoprophylaxis recommended for their destination. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common pathogen, found in more than half of our patients, and P. vivax (29%), P. ovale (6%), P. malariae (6%), a mixed infection with P. falciparum and P. vivax (3%) were also detected. All patients presented with fever and headaches, a majority with profuse night sweats, insomnia, arthralgias, and myalgias, and diarrhea and abdominal cramps were experienced in 13% and 8%, respectively. In falciparum malaria, a recrudescence was observed in all patients who received chloroquine only, whereas quinine, halofantrine, and mefloquine were highly effective. In vivax malaria, a relapse rate of 14% was noted in patients treated with the currently recommended regimen of chloroquine and primaquine. Visitors to endemic countries, especially Africa, are of significant risk. Given the low compliance rate of chemoprophylaxis, a high precentage of malaria in our patients could have been avoided by an appropriate prophylaxis regimen and optimal pretravel counseling.
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PMID:Malaria in Nonimmune Travelers: A Synopsis of History, Symptoms, and Treatment in 160 Patients. 981 39

Background: The objectives of this study were (1) to compare the efficacy of Lariam (mefloquine) with that of Fansimef (mefloquine, sulfadoxine, and pyrimethamine), Fansidar (sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine), chloroquine, and placebo in suppressing asexual parasitemia in semi-immune persons living in an area endemic for Plasmodium falciparum malaria; and (2) to compare the tolerance of these drugs when taken over a prolonged period of time. Method: A randomized double-blind comparative placebo-controlled study was undertaken in the village of Biasso, 60 km from Abidjan in the southern part of the Ivory Coast, a region where P. falciparum malaria is endemic. Four hundred and ninety nine male volunteers (five parallel groups), who were inhabitants of Biasso, were involved. The main outcome measures concerned the incidence of malaria breakthroughs (acute malaria attacks) and the incidence of parasitemia. Results: Within this strictly defined epidemiologic context, prophylaxis, taken once weekly, proved to be fully protective (parasitic index: 0) in the Lariam, Fansidar, and Fansimef groups throughout the whole study period. Prophylaxis with chloroquine proved incompletely protective (parasitic index: 2.5) The most frequent side effects were pruritus (5.6%), diarrhea (1.2%) and headache (0.06%). No significant differences in the incidence of side effects in each group (chi-square test) was observed. All side effects were transient and judged to be mild by the investigators. Conclusions: Excellent efficacy was observed in the prophylaxis of P. falciparum malaria with Lariam, Fansidar, and Fansimef as compared to the partial protection provided by chloroquine. Safety and tolerance were comparable in all groups during the whole period of observation (5 months).
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PMID:Mefloquine in the Prophylaxis of P. Falciparum Malaria. 981 95

The authors carried out an epidemiological survey from october 12 to december 4, 1995, at Medina's mother and Child care centre (MCC) in Dakar in order to assess chemoprophylaxis among pregnant women in Dakar. The midwife/pregnant women ratio is 0.08 The mentioned diagnosis criteria were relevant regards to the references established for most of the answers because since the latter base malaria diagnosis on the following signs: fever, chills, headaches and vomiting. 64.6% of them assume compliance to antimalarial chemoporphylaxis. Education level seems to be the main determining factor in this trend. Although chloroquine is the most widely used drug, nevertheless 11.9% of pregnant women assuming compliance use it at inappropriate posology. Besides, pyrimethamine is used by 12.3% of them. 34% of pregnant women do show chloroquine in urine. The plasmodial index is 1.4%. Only 8.1% of these women are supplied by health centres where shortages are noted.
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PMID:[Evaluation of malaria chemoprevention among 359 pregnant women attending a health center in Dakar]. 982 26

Eleven patients referred to a hospital in South Africa with suspected tropical diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and South African tick bite fever were found to be suffering from primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Hospital records were reviewed retrospectively in those acutely ill, febrile patients where a clinical suspicion of HIV seroconversion existed and no other diagnosis could be found. A history of recent travel, particularly to malarious areas, was given by most of these patients. The clinical presentation was dominated by high fevers and headaches. The most helpful pointers to primary HIV infection included a characteristic palatal enanthem, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Ironically, the history of recent travel appeared to have confounded the diagnosis despite the fact that travel has often been associated with the acquisition of HIV in Africa. Recognition of primary HIV infection masquerading as a tropical disease may result in more frequent diagnosis of this serious condition.
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PMID:Primary HIV infection diagnosed in South Africa masquerading as another tropical disease. 985 Mar 99

One hundred and four adult cases of cerebral malaria (73 male, 31 female) were studied between July 1995 to June 1996 in Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Diagnosis of cerebral malaria was based on unrousable coma or any neurological manifestation in a febrile patient with asexual Plasmodium falciparum in blood film. Intermittent fever (83%), vomiting (80%), headache (75%), convulsion (60%) and history of travel or residence in malaria endemic area were important features noted in patients with cerebral malaria. Most of the patients (69%) were admitted within 25 to 48 hours following unconsciousness. The factors are more common in cases with high mortality with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 60 mm of Hg, anaemia, persistence of Glasgow Coma Score below 5 on day 2, high parasite count at presentation, proteinuria and high level of serum urea. Out of 104 cases of cerebral malaria 66 patients (63.5%) recovered without sequelae, 34 patients (32.7%) died and 4 patients (3.8%) recovered with some residual sequelae. Establishment of intensive care unit in tertiary level hospitals is necessary to take appropriate measure for severe cerebral malaria cases for reduction of mortality.
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PMID:Cerebral malaria--a study of 104 cases. 992 81

Mefloquine represents a promising antimalarial drug against Plasmodium falciparum. It has been related to an increase in seizure frequency in epileptic patients and should not be administered to patients with a history of convulsions, epilepsy in first degree relatives, or serious psychiatric disorders. We report a case of a man from the Ivory Coast complaining of fever, headache and anemia treated with chloroquine and subsequently with mefloquine in the suspicion of malaria, even in the absence of laboratory confirmation. When the patient came to our division, malaria was excluded, but the patient developed two convulsive episodes, respectively 4 and 7 days after the ingestion of the second therapeutic dose of mefloquine. Further investigation was performed; particularly an EEG showed abnormalities compatible with tendency for seizures, diffuse waves and spikes. CSF culture was positive for M. tuberculosis as well as urine, sputum and blood cultures. Anti-HIV antibodies were positive, so the final diagnosis was tuberculosis in HIV infection. As seizures are common signs of cerebral tuberculomas, but not of meningitis it is possible that tubercular meningitis might have enhanced severe neuropsychiatric side effects of mefloquine. Physicians should be aware that treatment with mefloquine with concomitant meningitis could have a risk of development of grand mal seizure.
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PMID:Mefloquine-induced grand mal seizure in tubercular meningitis. 997 35

A 8-year old Japanese boy who returned from Tanzania was admitted to our hospital because of fever, vomiting, and headache. He was diagnosed as a Plasmodium falciparum infection verified by a blood smear. He was treated with quinine and halofantrine, and recovered completely. Malaria infection should be considered when patients return from Malaria endemic areas.
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PMID:[Plasmodium falciparum infection in a 8-year old boy]. 1007 6


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