Malaria Management in the U.S.

Although endemic malaria no longer exists in the U.S., many people emigrate from or travel to malarious regions. Investigators conducted a systematic literature search from 1966 to 2006 to derive evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of malaria in the U.S.

To improve early identification of disease, healthcare providers should obtain a careful travel history from patients, especially those with fever. Chloroquine remains the first-line agent for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the most severe form of the disease and the most prevalent type in the U.S. (50%). For chloroquine-resistant strains, which can be acquired anywhere in the world, the preferred alternatives are a combination of atovaquone and proguanil or quini…