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A case of imported Plasmodium ovale malaria
Tae Hee Han1, Baek-Nam Kim, Hee Kyung Seong
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Korea. kscosby@sanggyepaik.ac.kr
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|October 18, 2006
Summary
Imported malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale has been confirmed in Korea using molecular methods for the first time. This finding highlights the need to consider Plasmodium ovale in imported malaria cases due to increased travel to endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Korea has reported imported malaria cases involving four Plasmodium species.
- Previously, imported Plasmodium ovale malaria had not been confirmed using molecular biological methods in Korea.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male woodcutter returning from Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, presented with malaria symptoms.
- Diagnosis was confirmed via Wright-Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene.
Findings:
- The study confirmed the first imported case of Plasmodium ovale malaria in Korea using molecular techniques.
- Sequencing identified the Plasmodium ovale isolate as belonging to the classic type group.
- The patient received successful treatment with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine.
Implications:
- Plasmodium ovale should be considered a potential cause of imported malaria in Korea.
- Increased travel to Plasmodium ovale endemic regions necessitates heightened awareness and diagnostic preparedness.
- This case underscores the importance of molecular diagnostics in identifying malaria species in non-endemic settings.
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