Malaria

Background

• Caused by parasitic protozoa species of the genus Plasmodium (P ovale, P vivax, P malariae, P knowlesi, and P falciparum) carried by the Anopheles mosquito
  • P falciparum most severe
• Failure to consider for febrile illness following travel, even if seemingly temporally remote, can result in significant morbidity or mortality, especially in children and pregnant or immunocompromised patients
• Chemoprophylaxsis does not guarantee protection
• CDC Malaria Hotline: 770-488-7788
• Malaria is a US nationally notifiable disease and all cases should be reported

Traveler Precautions

The CDC recommends travelers to malaria-endemic regions take the following precautions:==

1. Mixed infections involving more than one species of Plasmodium may occur in areas of high endemicity (have a low threshold for including treatment for P falciparum)
2. Hyponatremia in the setting of hypovolemia does not require treatment beyond rehydration
3. Treat hypoglycemia
4. Check HIV status (coinfection can lead to worse clinical outcomes)
5. Exchange transfusion for patients with:
   1. P falciparum malaria with a parasitemia greater than 10%
   2. Life-threatening complications (ie, coma, respiratory failure, coagulopathy, fulminant kidney failure)

For specific dosing see the CDC Recommendations or call the Malaria CDC Hotline(855) 856-4713

Uncomplicated Malaria

• Atovaquone-proguanil or
• Arthemeter-lumefantrine or
• Quinine plus Tetracycline, doxycycline, or clindamycin

Severe Malaria

• Intravenous quinidine plus tetracycline, or doxycycline or clindamycin

Cerebral Malaria

• Insufficient evidence for or against giving antiepileptics
• For severe cerebral edema, mannitol and steroids have not show a demonstrable benefit

Disposition

1. Admission for:
   1. Patients with suspected or confirmed P falciparum or P knowlesi infection
   2. Children
   3. Pregnant women
   4. Immunodeficient individuals
2. ICU for:
   1. Severe complications (e.g.coagulopathy or end-organ failure)
   2. Cerebral malaria (e.g. AMS, repeated seizures, coma)
   3. Parasitemia
      1. >2% in pts non-immune (i.e. travelers)
      2. >5% in pts semi-immune (i.e. locals)

See Also

Travel Medicine

Source

• Mirzaian E, Durham MJ, Hess K, et al. Mosquito-borne illnesses in travelers: a review of risk and prevention. Pharmacotherapy. 2010;30(10):1031-1043