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. 2023 Jun;53(4):104672.
doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2023.104672. Epub 2023 Feb 10.

Management of imported malaria in the emergency department: Adequacy compared to guidelines, and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

C Flateau  1 , A Pitsch  2 , C Cornaglia  3 , M Picque  2 , A de Pontfarcy  4 , P Leroy  4 , T Jault  5 , C Thach  6 , M Camus  7 , F Dolveck  3 , S Diamantis  4
Affiliations

Management of imported malaria in the emergency department: Adequacy compared to guidelines, and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

C Flateau et al. Infect Dis Now. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: Adequacy of imported malaria management with respect to guidelines in emergency departments (ED) is low. We aimed to identify factors associated with this non-compliance, and a potential impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Patients and methods: Patients presenting with imported malaria at the ED of the hospital of Melun (France), from January 1, 2017 to February 14, 2022 were retrospectively included.

Results: Among 205 adults and 25 children, biological criteria of severity were fully assessed in 10% of cases; lactates (40%) and blood pH (21%) levels were the main missing variables. Of 74 patients (32%) with severe malaria, 13 were misclassified as uncomplicated malaria. The choice and dosage of treatment were adequate in 85% and 92% of cases, respectively. Treatment conformity was lower in severe malaria cases than in non-severe malaria cases (OR 0.15 [95% CI 0.07-0.31]), with oral treatment in 17 patients with severe malaria; conformity was higher in the intensive care unit (OR 4.10 [95% CI 1.21-13.95]). Patients with severe malaria were more likely to start treatment within 6hours than patients with uncomplicated malaria (OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.08-3.43]), as were patients infected by P.falciparum compared to other species (OR 4.63 [95% CI 1.03-20.90]). Consulting during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was the only organizational factor associated with a lower probability of adequate management (OR 0.42 [95% CI 0.23-0.75]).

Conclusion: Initial evaluation of malaria severity and time to treatment administration could be improved. These have been adversely impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Keywords: Guidelines; Imported malaria; SARS-CoV-2.

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