The Korean Journal of Parasitology  2009;47(3):299-302

doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.299

Imported Malaria in Korea: a 13-Year Experience in a Single Center.

Hae Suk CHEONG 1 ; Ki Tae KWON ; Ji Young RHEE ; Seong Yeol RYU ; Dong Sik JUNG ; Sang Taek HEO ; Sang Yop SHIN ; Doo Ryun CHUNG ; Kyong Ran PECK ; Jae Hoon SONG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Plasmodium; imported malaria; adverse drug events; mefloquine; quinine

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

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.