Primaquine and travelers from the Arab world. A report and recommendations

This paper reports on 2 hemolytic serious reactions in 2 Arabian patients because of the use of primaquine as presumptive antimalarial treatment given in Cuba to all travellers from countries where malaria is endemic. Taking into account the non-existence of imported malaria cases in travellers from the Arab-world since more then 15 years and the frequency of individuals presenting with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency it is recommended not to use this therapeutic procedure, and to maintain the rest of surveillance measures to all travellers from such region.