Malaria attacks due to P. vivax or P. ovale in two French military teaching hospitals (2000 to 2009)

Non-falciparum malaria is less studied than Plasmodium falciparum malaria, both in endemic and non-endemic zones.

A retrospective study was made of the medical files of patients managed for attacks of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale, between 2000 and 2009, in two French military teaching hospitals.

Seventy-five percent of attacks occurred after a stay in French Guiana, in the Comoros Archipelago, or in the Ivory Coast Republic. The most frequent symptoms two months after coming back were a flu-like syndrome with headaches, and occasional digestive symptoms, without any difference between the first attack and recurrence. One third of patients presented with anemia, 78% with thrombocytopenia, and 12% with liver dysfunction.

This study was the most important made in France on imported non-falciparum malaria. Military patients and immigrants accounted for a majority of patients due to the specificity of military hospitals and local recruitment. Clinical and biological features were not specific and did not allow guiding the diagnosis. Diagnostic tools were less sensitive for P. ovale.

Patient management could be optimized by more efficient diagnostic tools, specific guidelines for the diagnostic and therapeutic management, and a dedicated medical training for family practitioners as well as hospitals practice.