Possible transmission of plasmodium malariae through liver transplantation: Diagnosis with a Sysmex XN-20 hematology analyzer.

Fecha de publicación: 23/08/2024 Fecha Ahead of Print: 23/08/2024

Autores de IIS La Fe

José Miguel Sahuquillo Arce

Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

Martinez-Cerezuela, Andreu
Tofan, Luiza
Blanes-Julia, Marino
Contreras-Martinez, Maria Teresa

Grupos

Infecciones Respiratorias

Investigador Principal

Raúl Méndez Ocaña

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by several species of the genus Plasmodium. It is usually transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Other routes of transmission include mother-to-child transmission, shared use of needles, blood transfusion and solid organ transplantation. In non-endemic countries, malaria is often diagnosed on the basis of a history of journeys or migration from endemic areas. Transplant-transmitted malaria might represent a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Here, we report the casual diagnosis of possible transplant-transmitted malaria in a Spanish patient with no previous visits to endemic areas. He developed symptoms one month after receiving a liver transplant from a deceased donor immigrated from Ghana. After being admitted to the Emergency Room, a complete blood count revealed an abnormal cell population which activated an 'infested red blood cells' flag (iRBC). This finding led to perform a blood smear and further tests which confirmed the diagnosis of malaria. Given that automated complete blood counts are usually performed for any patient with fever, they represent a useful tool to detect malaria in unsuspected patients. In particular, the iRBC flag implemented in Sysmex XN-Series hematology analyzers is a useful screening tool for malaria in clinical laboratories.