open access

Vol 66, No 4 (2015)
Original article
Submitted: 2015-12-22
Accepted: 2015-12-22
Published online: 2015-12-22
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An attempt to estimate the minimal number of Poles infected and treated for malaria in Poland and abroad

Anna Kuna, Beata Szostakowska, Wacław L. Nahorski, Małgorzata Stępień, Danuta Kowalczyk, Joanna Stańczak, Przemysław Myjak
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2015.0044
·
Pubmed: 26726894
·
IMH 2015;66(4):233-237.

open access

Vol 66, No 4 (2015)
TROPICAL MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2015-12-22
Accepted: 2015-12-22
Published online: 2015-12-22

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the three most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. According to official statistics, there are a few dozen cases in Poland annually while the number of Poles treated abroad or self-treating remains unknown. Poland has been declared to be malaria-free since 1963 and nowadays all cases are imported. The aim of the study is to determine the minimal number of malaria cases in Poles at home and abroad in the last decade.

Materials and methods: The medical records of 4,710 patients tested for malaria in the Department of Tropical Parasitology in the years 2003–2012 were analysed. Two spreadsheets were created, which only included people with a history of malaria diagnosed in the reference centre where indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) for Plasmodium falciparum antigen proved positive. The minimum number of Poles who have had malaria at home and abroad was calculated on the basis of positive IFA results; the rate of all treated malaria patients in Poland in relation to those treated in the reference centre and the actual number of Poles with malaria diagnosed at home was calculated.

Results: A group of 376 people with positive serologic tests results in indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay with titre ≥ 1:20 were received, including 227 patients with positive serologic results with titre ≥ 1:80. The rate of the overall number of malaria cases in Poland compared to the number of malaria cases in the University Centre for Maritime and Tropical Medicine Hospital was determined as 3.47:1. It was demonstrated that every year at least 174 to 211 Poles staying abroad may suffer from malaria.

Conclusions: This is the first attempt to estimate the minimal number of Poles infected and treated for malaria in Poland and abroad. The estimated number is 8–10 times greater than the number of registered cases in Poland.  

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the three most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. According to official statistics, there are a few dozen cases in Poland annually while the number of Poles treated abroad or self-treating remains unknown. Poland has been declared to be malaria-free since 1963 and nowadays all cases are imported. The aim of the study is to determine the minimal number of malaria cases in Poles at home and abroad in the last decade.

Materials and methods: The medical records of 4,710 patients tested for malaria in the Department of Tropical Parasitology in the years 2003–2012 were analysed. Two spreadsheets were created, which only included people with a history of malaria diagnosed in the reference centre where indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) for Plasmodium falciparum antigen proved positive. The minimum number of Poles who have had malaria at home and abroad was calculated on the basis of positive IFA results; the rate of all treated malaria patients in Poland in relation to those treated in the reference centre and the actual number of Poles with malaria diagnosed at home was calculated.

Results: A group of 376 people with positive serologic tests results in indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay with titre ≥ 1:20 were received, including 227 patients with positive serologic results with titre ≥ 1:80. The rate of the overall number of malaria cases in Poland compared to the number of malaria cases in the University Centre for Maritime and Tropical Medicine Hospital was determined as 3.47:1. It was demonstrated that every year at least 174 to 211 Poles staying abroad may suffer from malaria.

Conclusions: This is the first attempt to estimate the minimal number of Poles infected and treated for malaria in Poland and abroad. The estimated number is 8–10 times greater than the number of registered cases in Poland.  

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Keywords

malaria, seroepidemiologic studies

About this article
Title

An attempt to estimate the minimal number of Poles infected and treated for malaria in Poland and abroad

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 66, No 4 (2015)

Article type

Original article

Pages

233-237

Published online

2015-12-22

Page views

1075

Article views/downloads

1241

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2015.0044

Pubmed

26726894

Bibliographic record

IMH 2015;66(4):233-237.

Keywords

malaria
seroepidemiologic studies

Authors

Anna Kuna
Beata Szostakowska
Wacław L. Nahorski
Małgorzata Stępień
Danuta Kowalczyk
Joanna Stańczak
Przemysław Myjak

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