title: Nosocomial Plasmodium falciparum infections confirmed by molecular typing in Medellín, Colombia.
abstract: Three cases of nosocomial malaria are reported from patients of the Internal Medicine Ward of a tertiary University teaching hospital in Medellin, Colombia. Epidemiological research, based on entomological captures, medical records review and interviews of nursery staff about patient care practices potentially involving contact with blood, were carried out. Molecular characterization of Plasmodium falciparum was based on the amplification of MSP1, MSP2 and GLURP genes. This method enabled confirmation of the same P. falciparum genotype in all three patients as well as in a fourth one (index case). The presence of nosocomial malaria was confirmed and it was concluded that the most likely source of transmission was through multi-dose preparations of heparin applied to heparin locks.
authors.affiliation: Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 62 #52-59, Lab 610, Medellin, Colombia. linagonzo@yahoo.es <linagonzo@yahoo.es>
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arroyave
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Restrepo
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maestre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013413:Sulfadoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D004338:Drug Combinations; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C065974:merozoite surface protein 2, Plasmodium; C072492:glutamate-rich protein, Plasmodium; C001205:fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination; D013413:Sulfadoxine; D011803:Quinine; D011739:Pyrimethamine