[Unusual case of malaria in Italy].

There is a significant increase in cases of malaria in Italy. The incidence among Italian citizens has remained quite stable since 1990, while the number of cases among foreigners residing in Italy has continued to increase. The clinical manifestations of plasmodium infection can be less evident in these people: they often have only mild complaints for weeks or months. The case of a Senegalese woman with Plasmodium malariae infection is presented. She had been in Italy for 13 months and was 4-month pregnant. Her only symptoms were asthenia and microcytic anemia; she was afebrile. Her anemia was initially believed to be due to iron deficiency: she was treated with iron and folic acid. The anemia worsened, and resolved only after antimalarial therapy with chloroquine.