ABSTRACT

Malaria is an infection disease caused by plamodium parasite. Sporadic cases have not been observed since 2011, but imported cases still present owing to travel. In this study, we aimed to evaluate labotauary and clinical findings patients with malaria who were hospitalized and treated in our hospital.

Between January 2012-November 2018, a total of 31 adult patients was evaluated retrospectively, in terms of their epidemiological, physical examination and laboratory findings, complaints, countries they traveled to, prophylaxis and treatment that they received. Data of the patients were taken from the hospital’s database.

A total of 31 cases were diagnosed as having malaria. The causative microorganism was P. falciparum in 54.83% (17/31) of the patients, P. vivax in 32.25% (10/31), and P. falciparum-P. vivax co-infection in 12.9% (4/31) of the patients. Co-infections were excluded from the study. None of the cases had used prophylactic drugs for prevention of malaria. All of the cases suffered from chills with fever. The most frequently encountered pathologic laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia and leucopenia. Antibiotics had been initiated in 51.85% (14/27) of the patients with non-specific diagnoses. Rapid antigen test was used in 8148% (22/27) of cases. None of cases needed intensive care.

It is important to inform persons who plan to visit malaria endemic areas about malaria and to make them take appropriate prophylaxis against malaria. Although P. falciparum which has a high mortality rate may be considered in the first plan, P. vivax, treatment of which is different due to risk of relapse, should not be overlooked.

Keywords: Malaria, travel-related infection, retrospective study