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Malaria Journal Jul 2023Malaria is a major public health problem, particularly in the tropical regions of America, Africa and Asia. Plasmodium falciparum is not only the most widespread but...
BACKGROUND
Malaria is a major public health problem, particularly in the tropical regions of America, Africa and Asia. Plasmodium falciparum is not only the most widespread but also the most deadly species. The share of Plasmodium infections caused by the other species (Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae) is clearly underestimated. The objective of the study was to determine the molecular epidemiology of plasmodial infection due to P. malariae and P. ovale in Côte d'Ivoire.
METHODS
The study was cross-sectional. The study participants were recruited from Abengourou, San Pedro and Grand-Bassam. Sample collection took place from May 2015 to April 2016. Questionnaires were administered and filter paper blood samples were collected for parasite DNA extraction. The molecular analysis was carried out from February to March 2021. A nested PCR was used for species diagnosis. The data was presented in frequencies and proportions.
RESULTS
A total of 360 patients were recruited, including 179 men (49,7%) for 181 women (50,3%). The overall Plasmodium positive rate was 72.5% (261/360). The specific index was 77.4% and 1.5% for P. falciparum and P. malariae in mono-infection, respectively. There was also 15% P. falciparum and P. malariae co-infection, 3.4% P. falciparum and P. ovale co-infection and 2.3% P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale triple-infection. Typing of P. ovale subspecies showed a significant predominance of P. ovale curtisi (81.2% of cases).
CONCLUSION
Plasmodium falciparum remains the most prevalent malaria species in Côte d'Ivoire, but P. malariae and P. ovale are also endemic mostly in co-infection. Malaria elimination requires a better understanding of the specific epidemiological characteristics of P. malariae and P. ovale with a particular emphasis on the identification of asymptomatic carriers.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Plasmodium falciparum; Cote d'Ivoire; Molecular Epidemiology; Coinfection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prevalence; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria; Plasmodium ovale; Plasmodium malariae
PubMed: 37468917
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04639-7 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Molecular detection methods have revealed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests for malaria diagnosis. In this study,...
Molecular detection methods have revealed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests for malaria diagnosis. In this study, we implemented, evaluated and validated according to the ISO 15,189 requirements, a multiplex real-time PCR assay to detect and identify the five human malaria parasites. DNA samples were extracted from whole blood or dried blood spots drawn from patients. Based on the External Quality Assessment (whole blood), this method shows 100% sensitivity and specificity. This PCR detected P. vivax up to 0.25 p/µl, P. falciparum and P. knowlesi up to 0.5 p/µl, P. ovale up to 1 p/µl and P. malariae up to 5 p/µl of blood. From blood spots (extraction from four punches), it detected P. vivax at 5 p/µl, P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. knowlesi at 20 p/µl and P. malariae at 125 p/µl. In conclusion, this quantitative PCR shows excellent performance, is easy to use and DNA saver. It is especially useful to actively screen large population groups and identify the five human malaria parasites in a context of low malaria transmission.
Topics: Humans; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Plasmodium; Malaria; Malaria, Vivax; Malaria, Falciparum; Sensitivity and Specificity; Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 37452123
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38621-9 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Aug 2023Severe malaria after splenectomy has been reported with infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium knowlesi, and Plasmodium malariae, but is less...
Severe malaria after splenectomy has been reported with infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium knowlesi, and Plasmodium malariae, but is less well-characterized with Plasmodium vivax. We describe a case of severe P. vivax malaria with hypotension, prostration, and acute kidney injury occurring 2 months after splenectomy in Papua, Indonesia. The patient was treated successfully with intravenous artesunate.
Topics: Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Splenectomy; Malaria; Artesunate; Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 37339765
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0147 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2023Microscopy was used to characterize platelet--infected erythrocyte interactions in patients infected with , , or , and to investigate the relationship between...
OBJECTIVE
Microscopy was used to characterize platelet--infected erythrocyte interactions in patients infected with , , or , and to investigate the relationship between platelet-associated parasite killing and parasite clearance.
METHODS
Data from 244 malaria patients admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning between 1 January 2011 and 30 September 2022, and 45 healthy controls, were collected prospectively and assessed retrospectively. Characteristics of platelet-erythrocyte interactions were visualized by microscopy, and blood cell count and clinical profiles of these participants were obtained from the electronic medical records. ANOVA, contingency tables and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to do statistical analysis on the subgroups.
RESULTS
Platelet enlargement and minor pseudopodia development were observed. Platelets were found directly attaching to parasitized erythrocytes by all species studied, especially mature stages, and lysis of parasitized erythrocytes was connected to platelet-mediated cytolysis. Platelet counts were correlated inversely with parasitaemia and duration of parasite clearance. Artemisinin combination therapy was more effective than artemisinin alone in clearing in patients with thrombocytopenia.
CONCLUSIONS
Platelet-parasitized erythrocytes cell-to-cell contacts initiated platelet-associated parasite killing and helped to limit infection in cases of human malaria. The weakening platelet-associated parasite killing effects could be counteracted by artemisinin combination therapy in patients with thrombocytopenia.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Blood Platelets; Parasites; Retrospective Studies; Malaria; Thrombocytopenia; Artemisinins
PubMed: 37310126
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2221453