Malaria in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen: a clinical pilot study.

Imported malaria is a health problem and needs continuous monitoring as many clinicians are not aware of it. In Yemen malaria is the main public health problem. Malaria cases were 16 in Almaza Military Fever Hospital, Cairo, 53 in Saudi Hospital at Pilgrimage, Yemen and in Saber Hospital at Aden, Yemen were studied. 9 cases (56.2%) of P. falciparum in Cairo were imported and 7 cases (43.8%) acquired P. vivax locally (October 2003 to July 2004). They were all treated successfully by chloroquine. An imported case (6.3%) died by cerebral malaria due to delayed diagnosis. Five imported cases (31.3%) had severe malaria. In Pilgrimage, an infant (1.9%) had congenital malaria, 17 cases (32.1%) had severe malaria and 2 (3.8%) died by cerebral malaria. 43 patients (81.1%) had P. falciparum and 10 patients (18.9%) had P. vivax. All patients were treated by parenteral or oral quinine. In Aden, one patient (5%) suffered diarrhea without fever, early blood film was negative, and was positive later on. 18 cases (90%) had P. falciparum, 2 (10%) had P. vivax. 4 cases (20%) had severe malaria & a patient (5%) died by cerebral malaria. Patients in Aden severe cases were successfully treated by intramuscular artemether followed by oral Fansidar, and mild ones were treated by oral Quartem.