Nosocomial Plasmodium falciparum infections confirmed by molecular typing in Medellín, Colombia.
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.
González
Lina
L
Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 62 #52-59, Lab 610, Medellin, Colombia. linagonzo@yahoo.es <linagonzo@yahoo.es>
Ochoa
Jesus
J
Franco
Liliana
L
Arroyave
Marta
M
Restrepo
Eliana
E
Blair
Silvia
S
Maestre
Amanda
A
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
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