[Transfusional malaria. Apropros of a case in Limousin]

Transfusional malaria is a disease in continual increase because of the greater number of international journeys and because of the insufficient prophylaxis at the present time. The authors report a new case which occurred in Limoges due to Plasmodium falciparum. The blood-donor was cambodgian and specific immunological tests were positive on this serum. Any fever, without evident cause, happening after blood or blood-derivative transfusion must suggest transfusional malaria. This diagnosis must be quickly confirmed by parasite detection in the blood and a good and efficient treatment will be easy. Maybe soon a culture of human Plasmodium in human red cells will make possible an efficient prophylaxis using a cheap fluorescent antibody test.