Nine years of imported malaria in a teaching hospital in Belgium: Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.
(2024) Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Vol. 108, n° 4, p. 116206 [1-9] (2024)
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- BACKGROUND: Imported malaria is often misdiagnosed due to the aspecific symptoms and lack of familiarity among clinicians. This study aims to evaluate a decade-long trend of imported malaria cases in a Belgian teaching hospital by analyzing demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. METHODS: Medical records of 223 patients with confirmed malaria diagnoses between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed. RESULTS: Most patients were male (63.2%), aged 18-65 years (77.1%), and visiting friends or relatives (40.8%). Central Africa was the most common travel destination (54.3%), and 63.7% did not take prophylaxis. Symptoms were flu-like, with fever (91.9%) being most prevalent. P. falciparum was identified in 88.3% of cases. A high proportion of severe cases (41.7%) and a low mortality rate (0.9%) were recorded. A severe form of the disease is associated with a more extended hospital stay than uncomplicated form (median of 5 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001). Thirty-five-point five percent [33/93] of patients with severe malaria have had a previous malaria infection compared to 50.8% [66/130] of uncomplicated patients (p= 0.013) wich was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Malaria disproportionately affects VFRs traveling to Central Africa, and flu-like symptoms should raise suspicion. Prophylaxis is essential to prevent the disease, and early diagnosis is critical for effective management. A severe form of the disease is associated with a more extended hospital stay than uncomplicated form and people with a previous history of malaria have a less severe disease.
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Ratovonjanahary, T., Danwang, C., Robert, A., & Yombi, J. C. (2024). Nine years of imported malaria in a teaching hospital in Belgium: Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 108(4), 116206 [1-9]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116206 (Original work published 2024)