Evidence of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> 12 years following the initial infection: A case report and mini‑review of the literature

Marino,Andrea; Calvo,Maddalena; Migliorisi,Giuseppe; Campanella,Edoardo; Franco,Antonina; Cappello,Elisa; Trovato,Laura; Patamia,Ildebrando

doi:10.3892/wasj.2023.212

Evidence of Plasmodium falciparum 12 years following the initial infection: A case report and mini‑review of the literature

Authors:
- Andrea Marino
- Maddalena Calvo
- Giuseppe Migliorisi
- Edoardo Campanella
- Antonina Franco
- Elisa Cappello
- Laura Trovato
- Ildebrando Patamia
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Affiliations: Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ARNAS Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy, U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis Unit, A.O.U. ‘Policlinico‑Vittorio Emanuele’, I‑95123 Catania, Italy, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, I‑98124 Messina, Italy, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, I‑96100 Siracusa, Italy, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
Published online on: November 6, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2023.212
Article Number: 35
Copyright : © Marino et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].

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Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria continues to pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, particularly in endemic areas. While the majority of cases can be effectively treated and cured, recurrences of P. falciparum malaria are not uncommon and can occur years following initial exposure. This phenomenon adds a new level of complexity to the management and prevention of the disease. The present study describes the compelling clinical case of a patient who contracted malaria despite not having been in an endemic region for over a decade. The patient had previously been infected and treated for the same disease. With low parasitemia, the patient was successfully treated with anti‑malarial drugs; however, certain aspects of his medical history remained unclear. The present study also discusses the possibility that this case represents P. falciparum recrudescence or cryptic malaria, drawing on existing literature to contextualize the findings. The case presented herein highlights the need for continued vigilance in the diagnosis and treatment of P. falciparum malaria, particularly in instances of recurrence. Furthermore, it underscores the ongoing challenges posed by this persistent and insidious disease.

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