An old foe on peculiar paths: severe falciparum malaria in a Syrian refugee, possibly infected during migrant smuggling from Türkiye to Germany

Infection. 2023 Oct;51(5):1583-1586. doi: 10.1007/s15010-023-02042-7. Epub 2023 May 24.

Abstract

Infectious diseases and their imperative awareness gain major relevance through global warming and multi-continent refugee crises. Here, we demonstrate the challenges of malaria diagnosis, disease course, and treatment, including post-artesunate hemolysis in a Syrian refugee with severe falciparum malaria, most probably infected during migrant smuggling from Türkiye to Germany.

Keywords: Falciparum malaria; Migrant smuggling; Post-artesunate delayed hemolysis; Refugee,; Transmission.

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials* / therapeutic use
  • Artemisinins* / therapeutic use
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Malaria*
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / drug therapy
  • Refugees*
  • Syria
  • Transients and Migrants*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins