INDUCED MALARIA IN INTRAVENOUS DRUG USER: A CASE REPORT

Malaria is a protozoal disease. It has four species (P. Falciparum, P. Vivax, P. Ovale, P. Malariae) that each produces disease in humans. Malaria is transmitted by female Anopheles bite to human. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or contaminated needle. Iran is divided to 3 zones for transmission of malaria: 1- north of Zagros mountain, 2- south and south-west, 3- south-east. In 1974 people who lived in north of Zagros became immune to malaria. In 1973 malaria was controlled in south of Iran. Later in 1944 and 1975 malaria increased and became epidemic in south of Iran especially in Hormozgan, Balouchestan and Kerman provinces and some transmission areas were also seen in the north. Since Tehran is still free of malaria transmission, those who live in Tehran and have never left this city would not get malaria from Anopheles bite. This article is the case report of a 30-year-old man who lived in Tehran. He was complaining of fever and itching from 4 days before admission. He had coryza, sore throat, cough, generalized bone pain and chills. He was IVDU for 2 years and had not taken opium for 25 days. He had no transfusion history and had never gone out of Tehran. We took samples and began treatment with diagnosis of endocarditis, but he did not get well and in bone marrow samples P. Falciparum was seen. Since the patient was living in Tehran and had never left it and since his symptoms mimicked withdrawal syndrome, malaria was not considered as his diagnosis, while malaria transmission with contaminated needle in IVDU may occur and can mimic withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, malaria should be considered in the differential diagnosis of FUO in IVDU.