Malaria infection through multiorgan donation: an update from Spain

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transfusion Medicine
• Hepatology

Background:

• Rising immigration increases the risk of imported infectious diseases, including malaria, from tropical regions.
• Few documented cases exist of malaria transmission through organ or blood donation.
• Plasmodium vivax malaria poses diagnostic and treatment challenges, especially in non-endemic areas.

Observation:

• A case of Plasmodium vivax malaria was transmitted via a multiorgan donation.
• The patient presented with symptoms indicative of malaria following organ transplantation.
• Diagnostic investigations confirmed Plasmodium vivax infection in the recipient.

Findings:

• The liver was identified as the primary organ reservoir for Plasmodium vivax in this case.
• The transmission occurred despite standard screening protocols for donated organs.
• This case underscores the potential for malaria transmission through organ donation.

Implications:

• Highlights the need for enhanced vigilance and potentially new screening methods for infectious diseases in organ donors.
• Emphasizes the importance of considering imported parasitic infections in transplant recipients.
• Suggests that the liver may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and persistence of Plasmodium vivax post-transplant.