[Congenital malaria in a Greek twin (author's transl)]

A case of congenital malaria due to Plasmodium malariae in one of two living Greek twins born in Germany is presented. In the child fever, anaemia and hepatosplenomegaly were first noticed at the age of two months. Plasmodium malariae parasites were demonstrated in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. The sera of mother and infant contained malaria antibodies. However the mother never showed clinical signs of malaria. Diagnosis and therapy of congenital malaria and the possible mode of transmission of this rare disease are discussed.