First imported Plasmodium ovale malaria in Central America: case report of a Guatemalan soldier and a call to improve its accurate diagnosis.
The Mesoamerican Ministers of Health have set 2020 as the target for malaria elimination to be achieved in the region. Imported malaria cases are a potential threat to countries attempting elimination or working to prevent resurgence. We report the first imported Plasmodium ovale infection with molecular confirmation in Central America, which occurred in a Guatemalan soldier that had been deployed in Africa. The obstacles for its diagnosis using the standard microscopy technique and the need to improve its detection are discussed.
Center for Health Studies-Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (CES-UVG), 18 Av. 11-95 zona 15, Vista Hermosa III, Guatemala City, CA Guatemala.
María Eugenia
ME
Castellanos
National Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Km. 22, Carretera al Pacífico, Barcenas, Villa Nueva, CA Guatemala.
Sheilee
S
Díaz
F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, 20814 Bethesda, MD USA.
Emily
E
Parsons
Global Disease Detection Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Central America Regional Office, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D68, 30333 Atlanta, GA USA.
Leonard F
LF
Peruski
Military Healthcare and Social Services, Ministry of Defense, Guatemala. Finca El Palomar, Acatan, Sta. Rosita Zona 16, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Fabiola
F
Enríquez
Military Medical Center, Ministry of Defense, Guatemala. Finca El Palomar, Acatan, Sta. Rosita Zona 16, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Juan Luis
JL
Ramírez
Center for Health Studies-Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (CES-UVG), 18 Av. 11-95 zona 15, Vista Hermosa III, Guatemala City, CA Guatemala.
Norma
N
Padilla
Diagnosis; Imported malaria; Plasmodium ovale