Imported malaria in Korea: a 13-year experience in a single center.
The incidence of imported malaria has been increasing in Korea. We reviewed data retrospectively to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of imported malaria from 1995 to 2007 in a university hospital. All patients diagnosed with imported malaria were included. Imported malaria was defined as a positive smear for malaria that was acquired in a foreign country. A total of 49 patients (mean age, 35.7 year; M : F = 38 : 11) were enrolled. The predominant malarial species was Plasmodium falciparum (73.5%), and the most frequent area of acquisition was Africa (55.1%), followed by Southeast Asia (22.4%) and South Asia (18.4%). Fourteen-patients (30.6%) suffered from severe malaria caused by P. falciparum and 1 patient (2.0%) died of multiorgan failure. Most of the patients were treated with mefloquine (79.2%) or quinine (10.2%); other antimalarial agents had to be given in 13.2% treated with mefloquine and 44.4% with quinine due to adverse drug events (ADEs). P. falciparum was the most common cause of imported malaria, with the majority of cases acquired from Africa, and a significant number of patients had severe malaria. Alternative antimalarial agents with lower rates of ADEs might be considered for effective treatment instead of mefloquine and quinine.
Cheong
Hae Suk
HS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kwon
Ki-Tae
KT
Rhee
Ji-Young
JY
Ryu
Seong Yeol
SY
Jung
Dong Sik
DS
Heo
Sang Taek
ST
Shin
Sang Yop
SY
Chung
Doo Ryun
DR
Peck
Kyong Ran
KR
Song
Jae-Hoon
JH
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014195:Travel
D000962:Antimalarials