Malaria (Plasmodium spp.)
2014 Case Definition

Background

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite; intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus
Plasmodium (e.g., P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae among other species). The first two species cause the most infections worldwide. P. falciparum is the agent that most commonly causes severe and potentially fatal malaria. P. vivax and P. ovale may have dormant liver stage parasites, which can reactivate and cause malaria several months or years after the infecting mosquito bite. P. malariae can result in long-lasting infections and if untreated can persist asymptomatically in the human host for years, even a lifetime. About 1600 cases of malaria are reported each year in the United States, most of which are imported, i.e., acquired in malaria-endemic countries.

Clinical Description

The first symptoms of malaria (most often fever, chills, sweats, headaches, muscle pains, nausea and vomiting) are often not specific and are also found in other diseases (such as influenza and other common viral infections). Likewise, the physical findings are often not specific (elevated temperature, perspiration, tiredness). In severe malaria (caused by P. falciparum), clinical findings (confusion, coma, neurologic focal signs, severe anemia, respiratory difficulties) are more striking and may increase the suspicion index for malaria.

Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis

• • Detection of circulating malaria-specific antigens using rapid diagnostic test (RDT)

OR

• • Detection of species specific parasite DNA in a sample of peripheral blood using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. (Note: Laboratory-developed malaria PCR tests must fulfill Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments [CLIA] requirements, including validation studies)

OR

• Detection of malaria parasites in thick or thin peripheral blood films, determining the species by morphologic criteria, and calculating the percentage of red blood cells infected by asexual malaria parasites (parasitemia).

Criteria to Distinguish a New Case from an Existing Case

A subsequent attack experienced by the same person but caused by a different Plasmodium species is counted as an additional case.

A subsequent attack experienced by the same person and caused by the same species in the United States may indicate a relapsing infection or treatment failure caused by drug resistance or a separate attack.

Suspected

• Detection of Plasmodium species by rapid diagnostic antigen testing without confirmation by microscopy or nucleic acid testing in any person (symptomatic or asymptomatic) diagnosed in the United States, regardless of whether the person experienced previous episodes of malaria while outside the country.

Confirmed

• • Detection and specific identification of malaria parasite species by microscopy on blood films in a laboratory with appropriate expertise in any person (symptomatic or asymptomatic) diagnosed in the United States, regardless of whether the person experienced previous episodes of malaria while outside the country.

OR

• • Detection of Plasmodium species by nucleic acid test* in any person (symptomatic or asymptomatic) diagnosed in the United States, regardless of whether the person experienced previous episodes of malaria while outside the country.

OR

• Detection of unspeciated malaria parasite by microscopy on blood films in a laboratory with appropriate expertise in any person (symptomatic or asymptomatic) diagnosed in the United States, regardless of whether the person experienced previous episodes of malaria while outside the country.

* Laboratory-developed malaria PCR tests must fulfill CLIA requirements, including validation studies.

Case Classification Comments

Clinical samples including Blood smears or EDTA whole blood from all cases can be referred to the CDC Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria Diagnostic Laboratory for confirmation of the diagnosis and antimalarial drug resistance testing. Any questionable cases should be referred to the CDC Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria Diagnostic Laboratory for confirmation of the diagnosis.

• Malaria (Plasmodium spp.) | 2010 Case Definition
• Malaria (Plasmodium spp.) | 1995 Case Definition
• Malaria (Plasmodium spp.) | 1990 Case Definition