An Indigenous Case of Plasmodium ovale Infection in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Plasmodium ovale, which is generally prevalent only in the African region, has been emerging in the Asian and southeast Asian regions. It has not been reported in Sri Lanka. We report, to our knowledge, an indigenous case of P. ovale infection in Sri Lanka. This patient, who was diagnosed by a polymerase chain reaction, had no history of travel overseas or receipt of a transfusion of blood or any blood products, which makes this a likely case of indigenous transmission. This incidental finding of a P. ovale infection has implications for malaria control in the country and highlights the need to rigorously monitor malaria incidence, as well as prevalent Plasmodium species, with newer and more reliable diagnostics.