[Imported malaria: epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data of 74 patients during 1 year in the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam].
OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the changes concerning diagnosis and treatment of malaria since 1984.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
University Medical Centre, Amsterdam.


METHODS
From October 1991 to October 1992, 74 patients with malaria were diagnosed and treated. Country of origin, plasmodium strain involved, country of infection, interval between return to the Netherlands and onset of symptoms, prophylaxis and therapy, were recorded in every case.


RESULTS
Of these patients 46 (62%) were of European origin; 28 were born in endemic malarial areas. Plasmodium falciparum was diagnosed in 49 of the 74 patients; 88% of these infections were acquired in subsaharan Africa, mainly West Africa. In falciparum malaria, the first symptoms were noticed I-30 days after returning home. P. vivax infections occurred up to 2 years after return. Five of the 49 patients developed severe complications; 2 died. Twenty-six (53%) of the 49 patients had not taken any chemoprophylaxis. The patients with falciparum malaria were treated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine or halofantrine, often combined with quinine; the cure rate was 90%.


CONCLUSIONS
Quinine remains the mainstay in the treatment of complicated falciparum malaria, but is also often used in the initial treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Compliance in malaria prophylaxis still remains a problem.
Driessen
S O
SO
Academisch Medisch Centrum, onderafd. Infectieziekten, Tropische Geneeskunde en AIDS, Amsterdam.
Wetsteyn
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014195:Travel
D000962:Antimalarials; D011803:Quinine
Importmalaria: epidemiologische, klinische en therapeutische gegevens van 74 patiënten gedurende 1 jaar in het Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam.