title: [Imported paludism: an emerging illness].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed at knowing the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported malaria in Maresme county (Barcelona), Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive and retrospective study of patients diagnosed with imported malaria at the Hospital de Mataró (HM) (1982-2000).
  
  
  RESULTS
  64 cases of malaria were diagnosed, which supposed a significant increase in its incidence over the last decade. The disease mostly affected men (83%) as well as young and sub-Saharan immigrants (72%). 17% of affected people were immigrants' children. 50% cases were diagnosed in August-September. 80% of species corresponded to Plasmodium falciparum, either alone or in association with other species. Only 10% of patients underwent a correct chemoprophylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imported malaria is an emergent, potentially mortal, illness, which has to be taken into account in high-rate immigration areas. Prophylaxis compliance and knowledge is low.
authors.affiliation: Area Bàsica de Salut La Riera. Consorci Sanitari del Maresme (CSdM). Mataró. España.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartolomé Regué
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Balanzó Fernández
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roca Saumell
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrer Argelès
authors.forename: Josep Lluís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fernández Roure
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daza López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology