[Plasmodium falciparum infection and pregnancy. Case reports]

Area of Science:

• Tropical Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in tropical regions.
• Plasmodium falciparum is the most virulent malaria parasite, causing severe disease and mortality.
• Congenital malaria, transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or birth, poses a unique risk to infants.

Observation:

• An infant in Amazonas, Brazil, diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria at one month old.
• The infant's mother had a primary malarial infection on the day of delivery.
• A pregnant woman in her second trimester, with a history of recurrent malaria, was also diagnosed with P. falciparum malaria.

Findings:

• The infant likely had congenital malaria due to a short incubation period, possibly from a lack of maternal antibodies.
• Both the infant and the pregnant woman received clindamycin treatment.
• Both patients achieved satisfactory clinical and parasitic cure following treatment.

Implications:

• Clindamycin demonstrates efficacy in treating Plasmodium falciparum malaria, including congenital cases.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing malaria in infants and pregnant women.
• Understanding transmission dynamics, like congenital malaria, is vital for malaria control in endemic areas.