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BackgroundMalaria transmission in Latin America is generally hypoendemic and unstable, with Plasmodium vivax as the most prevalent species. However, only a few studies have been carried out in areas with low and unstable transmission, whereas the clinical profile of malaria has been broadly described in hyperendemic areas. The pattern of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in low to moderate endemic areas of Colombia is reported here.MethodsA passive surveillance study was conducted between 2011 and 2013 involving 1,328 patients with Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax or mixed malaria infections attending malaria points-of-care of four malaria endemic-areas with distinct transmission intensities and parasite distribution. Trained physicians recorded clinical symptoms and signs as well as socio-demographic characteristics of study participants. Haematological, biochemical and urine tests were performed at the time of diagnosis.ResultsOut of 1,328 cases, 673 (50.7%) were caused by P. vivax; 650 (48.9%) were due to P. falciparum; and five (0.4%) patients had mixed infections (P. falciparum/P. vivax). Most patients (92.5%) presented with uncomplicated malaria characterized by fever, chills, headache, sweating, myalgia/arthralgia and parasitaemia ≤ 20,000 parasites/μL. Fever, tachycardia, pallor and abdominal pain on palpation were more frequent in P. falciparum patients, whereas mild hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were mostly observed with P. vivax. Non-severe anaemia (Hb 7.0-10.9 g/dL) was observed in 20% of the subjects, whereas severe anaemia (Hb < 7.0 g/dL) was present in four patients. Half of the patients presented thrombocytopaenia regardless of parasite species. Leukopaenia, neutrophilia and monocytosis were frequently observed in patients infected with P. falciparum. Mild-to-moderate biochemical alterations were present in ~25% of the patients, particularly abnormal bilirubin in those with P. falciparum and abnormal transaminases in P. vivax malaria patients. Proteinuria was present in ~50% of the patients regardless of parasite species, whereas haemoglobinuria was more common in P. vivax infections. Only 7.5% of the cases were classified as clinically severe malaria, caused by both P. vivax and P. falciparum.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of uncomplicated malaria associated with moderate parasitaemia suggests the importance of timely diagnosis and effective treatment and encourages new activities to further decrease complicated malaria cases and mortality.
BackgroundMalaria transmission in Latin America is generally hypoendemic and unstable, with Plasmodium vivax as the most prevalent species. However, only a few studies have been carried out in areas with low and unstable transmission, whereas the clinical profile of malaria has been broadly described in hyperendemic areas. The pattern of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in low to moderate endemic areas of Colombia is reported here.MethodsA passive surveillance study was conducted between 2011 and 2013 involving 1,328 patients with Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax or mixed malaria infections attending malaria points-of-care of four malaria endemic-areas with distinct transmission intensities and parasite distribution. Trained physicians recorded clinical symptoms and signs as well as socio-demographic characteristics of study participants. Haematological, biochemical and urine tests were performed at the time of diagnosis.ResultsOut of 1,328 cases, 673 (50.7%) were caused by P. vivax; 650 (48.9%) were due to P. falciparum; and five (0.4%) patients had mixed infections (P. falciparum/P. vivax). Most patients (92.5%) presented with uncomplicated malaria characterized by fever, chills, headache, sweating, myalgia/arthralgia and parasitaemia ≤ 20,000 parasites/μL. Fever, tachycardia, pallor and abdominal pain on palpation were more frequent in P. falciparum patients, whereas mild hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were mostly observed with P. vivax. Non-severe anaemia (Hb 7.0-10.9 g/dL) was observed in 20% of the subjects, whereas severe anaemia (Hb < 7.0 g/dL) was present in four patients. Half of the patients presented thrombocytopaenia regardless of parasite species. Leukopaenia, neutrophilia and monocytosis were frequently observed in patients infected with P. falciparum. Mild-to-moderate biochemical alterations were present in ~25% of the patients, particularly abnormal bilirubin in those with P. falciparum and abnormal transaminases in P. vivax malaria patients. Proteinuria was present in ~50% of the patients regardless of parasite species, whereas haemoglobinuria was more common in P. vivax infections. Only 7.5% of the cases were classified as clinically severe malaria, caused by both P. vivax and P. falciparum.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of uncomplicated malaria associated with moderate parasitaemia suggests the importance of timely diagnosis and effective treatment and encourages new activities to further decrease complicated malaria cases and mortality.
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Antecedentes.</strong> En Colombia existen pocos estudios que buscan encontrar diferencias clínicas y parasitológicas en la malaria causada por <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> y <em>Plasmodium vivax</em>. </span></p><p class="p1"><strong>Objetivo.</strong> Describir el perfil clínico y parasitológico de las malarias por<em> Plasmodium falciparum</em> y <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> no complicadas en Tierralta, Córdoba, Colombia.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Materiales y métodos.</strong> Se evaluaron pacientes con paludismo no complicado por <em>Plasmodium falciparum </em>y <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> según los protocolos estandarizados por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud y se recolectó información clínica y parasitológica. De igual forma, se utilizó análisis multivariado por correspondencias múltiples para describir diferentes perfiles de pacientes con paludismo no complicado por estas dos especies antes de recibir tratamiento.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Resultados.</strong> Se evaluaron 112 pacientes con edad entre 6 y 64 años, 59 (52.7%) con <em>Plasmodium falciparum </em>y 53 (47.3%) con <em>Plasmodium vivax</em>. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron fiebre en 111 pacientes (99.1%; IC 95%: 81.5-100), sudoración en 105 (93.8%; IC 95%: 76.7-100) y dolor osteomuscular en 105 (93.8%; IC 95%: 76.7-100). </p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Se presentaron con mayor frecuencia, y con diferencia significativa, en las infecciones por <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em>: diarrea en 18 pacientes (30.5%; IC 95%: 18.1-48.2); decaimiento en 49 (83%; IC 95%: 61.4-109.8); palidez palmar en 39 (66.1%; IC 95%: 47-90.4) y sequedad de mucosas en 12 (20.3%; IC 95%: 10.5-35.5). El escalofrío se presentó con mayor frecuencia en <em>Plasmodium vivax </em>(98.1%; IC 95%: 73.4-128.1). El análisis multivariado agrupó las variables en cuatro perfiles distintos de presentaciones clínicas así: 1) síntomas clínicos y su relación con el recuento parasitario, 2) características clínicas en relación con la edad y sexo, 3) antecedentes de malaria en relación con características demográficas y clínicas y 4) especie del parásito en relación con antecedentes, clínica y variables demográficas.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Conclusión.</strong> Se identificaron algunas diferencias clínicas entre los enfermos con <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> y los enfermos con <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em>, y las variables estudiadas se agruparon en cuatro perfiles que permiten una variedad de interpretaciones.</span></p>
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