Last update:
26-Oct-2010

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite (Plasmodium spp) that commonly infects an infective female Anopheles mosquito which feeds on humans. Malaria typically is found in the warmer regions of the world (in tropical and subtropical countries). People with malaria are typically very sick with high fever, rigors and flu-like illness. Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented. The surest way to diagnose malaria is by examination of a drop of blood under the microscope (Giemsa stain) for the presence of malaria parasites. Malaria has been eliminated in Greece since the Second World War. However, cases of malaria may still be seen in Greece in people who travel to/from countries with malaria or immigrants from endemic areas who now live in this country. Two cases of malaria are presented here. The first case was a 27 year-old Pakistani man with 4 days of fever caused by Plasmodium vivax. He was treated with hydroxychloroquine and tetracycline and responded favorably to treatment. The second case was a 50 year-old Caucasian man with fever and severe thrombocytopenia due to Plasmodium falciparum. He was treated with hydroxychloroquine and tetracycline but discharged himself from hospital and was lost to follow-up.

Key words: Fever, Malaria, Plasmodium.