Hospital admissions for malaria in Basel, Switzerland: an epidemiological review of 150 cases.
The increase in international travel and immigration from tropical countries has led to a growing number of imported malaria cases in industrialized countries. We analyzed the charts of every patient hospitalized for malaria from 1970-1992 in Basel, Switzerland. A period lasting from 1970-1986 was compared to 1987-1992. There were 150 malaria-episodes recorded. Over time, the number of immigrants increased from 12 to 27% (p <.05). More patients were admitted with Plasmodium falciparum-infection (49 vs. 75%, p <.005). The number of untypable malaria decreased from 30 to 9% (p <.005). In the more recent period, more diagnosis were done within a week (66 vs. 50%, p <.05). Twenty-three (15%) patients were admitted to the ICU, four (2. 6%) patients died of cerebral malaria. Twenty-seven (18%) patients developed malaria while taking correct prophylaxis. Despite some progress, malaria is still causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Non adherence to chemoprophylaxis was a major risk factor for acquiring malaria in hospitalized patients.
Nüesch
R
R
Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Scheller
M
M
Gyr
N
N
D000328:Adult; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel