[Plasmodium ovale infection: description of 16 cases and a review]

Abstract

Introduction: Information on imported malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale parasite is scarce.

Methods: Sixteen cases were studied retrospectively.

Results: Most cases had an incubation period ranging from 2 to 53 months and were African immigrants recently arrived or residents in Spain who had visited West Africa. Ten patients had underlying diseases and 5 suffered from a previous P. falciparum infection. Three patients had severe complications and 3 were asymptomatic. Rapid malaria test was positive in 2 out of 10 patients. Five were diagnosed only with PCR.

Conclusions: P. ovale infection can be asymptomatic or cause severe complications up to 5 years after arriving.