[Malaria induced in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil]

A review is presented of 58 induced malaria cases diagnosed in the São Paulo State, from January 1983 to July 1990. These cases represent 0.3% of the malaria notifications. The parameters sex, age, parasitaemia, clinical symptoms, clinical course and mean time interval between disease onset and diagnosis were studied in 25 blood-transmitted cases and 28 related to sharing needles. Plasmodium vivax was diagnosed in 79.4% and in 5.6% Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were seen. Lower mean age (p < 0.005) in intravenous drug users when compared in the blood-transmitted group were observed. The former also had a mean time interval between disease onset and diagnosis (33.6 days) and patients with blood-transmitted disease (20.6 days). No statistical significant differences were observed (p > 0.10). Even though few induced malaria cases have been diagnosed in São Paulo, State, and considering that blood-transmitted malaria is now under control, the occurrence of malaria due to sharing needles among intravenous drug users should be regarded as a risk for the reintroduction of the disease in malaria--free areas of São Paulo State.