An increasing proportion of malaria cases in Italy is observed in immigrants revisiting their country of origin, but little specific research work has been carried out in this field. All malaria cases occurring from 1990 to 1998 at the Reference Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Brescia were prospectically evaluated to compare clinical outcome in migrant and non-immune cases. No difference was observed between parasitaemia at diagnosis and time to clearance of peripheral parasitaemia. Clinical presentation was milder in migrants than in non-immunes, with an OR for severe malaria of 0.27 (c.i. = 0.09-0.84) (p = 0.01). Fever clearance time was significantly shorter in migrants (3.0 days, SD = 1.2) than in non-immunes (4.3 days, SD = 1.7) (p < 0.001). Among immigrants, the proportion of severe cases was higher in residents since 2 years or less (12.5%) compared to residents since 2 to 5 years (3.3%) and residents since more than 5 years (0.9%) (p = 0.02). The proportion of malaria cases who had used chemoprophylaxis was significantly lower among immigrants (30/272, 11.0%) compared to non-immunes (41/74, 55.4%) (p < 0.001). In a population based malaria KAP analysis among 504 migrants from malaria endemic countries, correct knowledge of malaria risk was reported by 351 (69.5%). Of 170 subjects who reported at least one visit back to the home country, 30 (17.6%) had sought pre-travel advice, 24 (14.1%) had started chemoprophylaxis and 7 (4.1%) had completed it during the last visit. Of 140 migrants who failed to seek pre-travel advice, 73 (52%) were unaware of malaria risk, 56 (40%) did not know how to protect themselves, and 11 (8%) refused to use protective measures. Migrants account for a significant proportion of imported malaria cases in industrialised countries. Clinical presentation is milder compared to non-immune subjects. The proportion of migrants who adopt malaria protective measure while returning home is very low, due to both unawareness of risk and inappropriateness of medical advice.
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