ARS | Publication request: Muscular Sarcocystosis in travelers returning from Tioman Island, Malaysia

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 9, 2012
Publication Date: March 11, 2012
Citation: Esposito, D., Lankau, E., Von Sonnenburg, F., Cramer, J., Grobusch, M., Savini, H., Rapp, C., Perignon, A., Gobbi, F., Ghesquiere, W., Zanger, P., Neumayr, A., Da Silva, A., Rosenthal, B.M., Aronica, E., Plier, D., Brunette, G., Brown, C., Fayer, R., Sotir, M., Freedman, D. 2012. Muscular Sarcocystosis in travelers returning from Tioman Island, Malaysia — 2011. [abstract].

Technical Abstract: In October 2011, the GeoSentinel global surveillance system for travel-related morbidity detected an unusual cluster of illnesses among travelers returning from Tioman Island, Malaysia. Complete information was received for 17 of 32 (53%) patients reported to GeoSentinel; 9 probable and 1 confirmed case were determined. Among case patients, the median age was 47.5 years (range 21-59); 50% were male. All resided in Europe. All complained of mild to severe myalgia with onset a median of 11 days (range 2-39) after departing Tioman Island, had marked eosinophilia (median highest value 15%, range 11-28%), and markedly elevated creatinine phosphokinase (median highest value 527 U/L, range 268-1435). All cases lodged on the northwest coast of Tioman Island, visited the beach, and swam in the ocean; none swam in fresh water. All consumed ice in beverages, 7 (70%) brushed teeth with tap water, and 6 (60%) ate fresh produce. Except for 50% reporting physical contact with cats; no significant animal exposures were reported.