Cases Of Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria Research Articles

Mass testing and treatment for malaria in low transmission areas in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

BackgroundIn areas with ongoing malaria transmission, strategies to clear parasites from populations can reduce infection and transmission. The objective of this paper was to describe a malaria mass testing and treatment (MTAT) intervention implemented in six kebeles (villages) in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, at the beginning of the 2014 transmission season.MethodsIntervention kebeles were selected based on incidence of passively detected Plasmodium falciparum and mixed (P. falciparum and P. vivax) malaria cases during the 2013 malaria transmission season. All households in intervention kebeles were targeted; consenting residents received a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and RDT-positive individuals received artemether-lumefantrine for P. falciparum/mixed infections or chloroquine for P. vivax. Data were collected on MTAT participation, sociodemographic characteristics, malaria risk factors, and RDT positivity.ResultsOf 9162 households targeted, 7974 (87.0 %) participated in the MTAT. Among the 35,389 residents of these households, 30,712 (86.8 %) received an RDT. RDT-positivity was 1.4 % (0.3 % P. vivax, 0.7 % P. falciparum, 0.3 % mixed), ranging from 0.3 to 5.1 % by kebele; 39.4 % of RDT-positive individuals were febrile, 28.5 % resided in the same household with another RDT-positive individual, 23.0 % were not protected by vector control interventions [mosquito net or indoor residual spray (IRS)], and 7.1 % had travel history. For individuals under 10 years of age, the odds of being RDT-positive was significantly higher for those with fever, recent use of anti-malarial drugs or residing in the same household with another RDT-positive individual; 59.0 % of RDT-positive individuals had at least one of these risk factors. For individuals 10 years of age and older, the odds of being RDT positive was significantly higher for those with reported travel, fever, recent use of anti-malarial drugs, no use of vector control, and those residing in the same household as another RDT-positive individual; 71.2 % of RDT-positive individuals had at least one of these risk factors.ConclusionsIn the Ethiopia setting, an MTAT intervention is operationally feasible and can be conducted with high coverage. RDT-positivity is low and varies widely by kebele. While several risk factors are significantly associated with RDT-positivity, there are still many RDT-positive individuals who do not have any of these risk factors. Strategies that target populations for testing and treatment based on these risk factors alone are likely to leave many infections undetected.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1333-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

English

The study discuss the potential impact of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) on the cases of malaria, anaemia and molecular markers resistance Plasmodium falciparum malaria; and also review the mechanism of action and the effect on immunity of SMC. SMC using an efficacious drug is likely to substantially reduce cases of clinical malaria in high transmission settings. However, an increase of molecular markers could hamper rolling out SMC as a national policy. Key words: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention impact, malaria molecular markers, review.

Liver function abnormalities in falciparum malaria

Background: Malaria still continues to be a major killer of mankind especially in developing countries. Almost all deaths and severe disease are due to Plasmodium falciparum . It is observed that the patients of falciparum malaria with liver function abnormalities are more vulnerable to the development of complications like cerebral malaria, anemia, renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc. Methods: 50 cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria diagnosed by peripheral smear examination or by immuno-chromatographic test - falci check, pan malaria or by rapid optimal test were included in the study. All these patients were subjected to blood investigations like hemoglobin level, total leukocyte count, differential count, renal function tests, liver function tests and random blood sugar. Results: Serum bilirubin level was raised in 66% of cases with 28% of cases showing levels above 3.0g/dL. Patients with clinical jaundice showed mean 2-3 fold raise in AST levels along with ALT levels. 64% of cases had normal ALK levels. Serum proteins found to be normal in 92% of cases. Conclusions: Deranged liver functions are commonly seen as a complication of severe malarial infection. Presence of raised hepatic enzymes with near normal coagulation parameters, in presence of documented malarial infection should suggest presence of malarial hepatopathy.

Severe imported malaria in adults: a retrospective study of thirteen cases admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in Marrakech

Le paludisme d’importation est une affection de plus en plus fréquente en zone non endémique. Les formes graves représentent 10 % des cas de paludisme à Plasmodium falciparum. Au Maroc, plus de 50 cas de paludisme sont enregistrés chaque année dont 83 % à P. falciparum. Ont été inclus dans l’étude tous les patients ayant développé un paludisme grave, admis au service de réanimation durant la période comprise entre le 1er Novembre 2009 et le 31 décembre 2015. Les principales données épidémiologiques, les motifs d’admission, la prise en charge et l’évolution ont été étudiés. Treize patients sont retenus. L’âge moyen est de 31 ans. Tous les patients ont séjourné en afrique subsaharienne et étaient non-immuns. La chimioprophylaxie était adéquate dans 33% des cas. Le délai moyen entre le début des symptômes et l’instauration du traitement était de six jours. La parasitémie moyenne initiale était de 12 %. Les motifs d’admission en réanimation étaient un coma (15%), une convulsion (07%), une détresse respiratoire (07%), une prostration (07%), une insuffisance rénale (07%), un choc associé à un ictère et une acidose (07%) et enfin une insuffisance rénale conjuguée à un coma (07%). Tous les patients ont reçu un traitement par la quinine intraveineuse avec une dose de charge dans 100 % des cas. Le taux de mortalité était de 23 %. Les causes du décès étaient dues à la défaillance multi viscérale et au syndrome de détresse respiratoire aigu. La mortalité des formes graves du paludisme reste élevée. L’adéquation de la chimioprophylaxie associée à la précocité du diagnostic et du traitement permettrait d’améliorer significativement le pronostic de cette parasitose.

Defining the relationship between infection prevalence and clinical incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

In many countries health system data remain too weak to accurately enumerate Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases. In response, cartographic approaches have been developed that link maps of infection prevalence with mathematical relationships to predict the incidence rate of clinical malaria. Microsimulation (or ‘agent-based') models represent a powerful new paradigm for defining such relationships; however, differences in model structure and calibration data mean that no consensus yet exists on the optimal form for use in disease-burden estimation. Here we develop a Bayesian statistical procedure combining functional regression-based model emulation with Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling to calibrate three selected microsimulation models against a purpose-built data set of age-structured prevalence and incidence counts. This allows the generation of ensemble forecasts of the prevalence–incidence relationship stratified by age, transmission seasonality, treatment level and exposure history, from which we predict accelerating returns on investments in large-scale intervention campaigns as transmission and prevalence are progressively reduced.

Tropical infection after a case of total hip arthroplasty

In non-endemic areas, malaria is mainly an imported disease. This article reports a case of transfusion-related Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a non-endemic area. Despite initial clinical signs consistent with malaria, the diagnosis was not elicited because of the absence of any identified epidemiological risk factors. The case indicates that transfusion-transmitted malaria still occurs in non-endemic countries. The role of laboratory testing to prevent and diagnose transfusion-transmitted malaria in non-endemic malaria countries is crucial.

Imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Istanbul, Turkey: risk factors for severe course and mortality

We describe the epidemiological, clinical features and risk factors for the morbidity and mortality of imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases during the last 10 years in Istanbul, Turkey. The epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of cases in six tertiary care hospitals in Istanbul between 2002 and 2012 were analysed. Seventy patients (65 males, five females; median age 37; range: 14-84) were included. Sixty-five (93%) patients had travelled to African countries and the remaining five to other malarious countries. Seventeen (24%) had a history of previous malarial episodes; eight (13%) developed recrudescence during the first month; 22 (31%), 17 (24%), 20 (29%) and three (4%) cases had cerebral malaria, cholestatic icterus, malarial hepatitis and respiratory distress syndrome on admission, respectively. Six of 12 patients with severe falciparum malaria died. Clinically, the presence of alteration in mental status, icterus, hypoglycaemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and malarial hepatitis were statistically significant for the development of severe malaria and mortality. Recrudescence should not be forgotten, especially in uncomplicated cases.

Two Cases of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in the Netherlands without Recent Travel to a Malaria-Endemic Country

Recently, two patients of African origin were given a diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria without recent travel to a malaria-endemic country. This observation highlights the importance for clinicians to consider tropical malaria in patients with fever. Possible transmission routes of P. falciparum to these patients will be discussed. From a public health perspective, international collaboration is crucial when potential cases of European autochthonous P. falciparum malaria in Europe re considered.

Plasmodium falciparum—Malaria in Pregnant African Immigrants Often Goes Unrecognized

We report four cases of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnant African women. They had immigrated to Finland 3 to 13 months earlier. The disease was revealed only by anemia. The diagnosis relied on blood smear which showed a parasitemia <0.2% in three cases. Medical personnel should be informed about the possibility of afebrile forms of malaria in pregnant women even months after immigration. Very low levels of parasitemia may call for a more sensitive diagnostic approach such as polymerase chain reaction.

Malaria Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Among International Flying Pilots and Flight Attendants of a US Commercial Airline

In 2010, malaria caused approximately 216 million infections in people and 655,000 deaths. In the United States, imported malaria cases occur every year, primarily in returning travelers and immigrants from endemic countries. In 2010, five Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases occurred among crew members of one US commercial airline company (Airline A). This investigation aimed to assess the malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Airline A crew members to provide information for potential interventions. The web link to a self-administered on-line survey was distributed by internal company communications to Airline A pilots and flight attendants (FA) eligible for international travel. The survey collected demographic information as well as occupation, work history, and malaria prevention education. Of approximately 7,000 nonrandomly selected crew members, 220 FA and 217 pilots completed the survey (6%). Respondents correctly identified antimalarial medication (91% FA, 95% pilots) and insect repellents (96% FA, 96% pilots) as effective preventive measures. While in malaria-intense destinations, few FA and less than half of pilots always took antimalarial medication (4% FA, 40% pilots) yet many often spent greater than 30 minutes outdoors after sundown (71% FA, 66% pilots). Less than half in both groups always used insect repellents (46% FA, 47% pilots). Many respondents were unaware of how to get antimalarial medications (52% FA, 30% pilots) and were concerned about their side effects (61% FA, 31% pilots). Overall, FA and pilots demonstrated good knowledge of malaria prevention, but many performed risky activities while practicing only some recommended malaria preventive measures. Malaria prevention education should focus on advance notification if traveling to a malaria-endemic area, how to easily obtain antimalarial medications, and the importance of practicing all recommended preventive measures.

Performance of BinaxNOW for Diagnosis of Malaria in a U.S. Hospital

Microscopic diagnosis and species identification of Plasmodium in areas of nonendemicity provide a robust method for malaria diagnosis but are technically challenging. A prospective study was conducted to measure the performance of BinaxNOW compared to microscopy (the gold standard) in a U.S. teaching hospital. Overall, BinaxNOW was 84.2% sensitive and 99.8% specific. Excluding patients on antimalarial therapy, the sensitivity was 92.9%. Importantly, BinaxNOW initially misclassified a case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria as non-falciparum. These results support the judicious use of BinaxNOW in screening of individuals suspected of having malaria in areas of nonendemicity.

Characterizing the spatial and temporal variation of malaria incidence in Bangladesh, 2007

BackgroundMalaria remains a significant health problem in Bangladesh affecting 13 of 64 districts. The risk of malaria is variable across the endemic areas and throughout the year. A better understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns in malaria risk and the determinants driving the variation are crucial for the appropriate targeting of interventions under the National Malaria Control and Prevention Programme.MethodsNumbers of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria cases reported by month in 2007, across the 70 endemic thanas (sub-districts) in Bangladesh, were assembled from health centre surveillance reports. Bayesian Poisson regression models of incidence were constructed, with fixed effects for monthly rainfall, maximum temperature and elevation, and random effects for thanas, with a conditional autoregressive prior spatial structure.ResultsThe annual incidence of reported cases was 34.0 and 9.6 cases/10,000 population for P. falciparum and P. vivax respectively and the population of the 70 malaria-endemic thanas was approximately 13.5 million in 2007. Incidence of reported cases for both types of malaria was highest in the mountainous south-east of the country (the Chittagong Hill Tracts). Models revealed statistically significant positive associations between the incidence of reported P. vivax and P. falciparum cases and rainfall and maximum temperature.ConclusionsThe risk of P. falciparum and P. vivax was spatially variable across the endemic thanas of Bangladesh and also highly seasonal, suggesting that interventions should be targeted and timed according to the risk profile of the endemic areas. Rainfall, temperature and elevation are major factors driving the spatiotemporal patterns of malaria in Bangladesh.

Efficacy of Artemether in Unresolving Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria

The emergence of possible resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria to artemisinin known for its immense benefit in malaria chemotherapy is worrisome. We report a case of unresolving Plasmodium falciparum malaria to Artesunate treatment in a 29- year old man in Enugu Nigeria. Plasmodium falciparum count of Giemsa stained blood films was 3000 parasites /il on the first day, and 2400 parasites /il on the 14 th day following treatment with oral Artesunate. On administering oral Artemether to the patient, the parasite count dropped from 2400 parasites /il to zero as at day 14 with normal body temperature and marked clinical improvement. The use of Artesunate as monotherapy against malaria infection is common practice in our community. Health care providers should have a re-think and use artemisinin based combination therapy Keywords: Malaria, Artesunate, Resistance Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 62 No 5-6, 2012

Efficacy of Chloroquine and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine either alone or in combination before introduction of ACT as first-line therapy in uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India

In India, till recently, Chloroquine was used as first-line therapy in areas with Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has introduced artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) as first-line option to treat all P. falciparum cases in the country. This study was carried out to ascertain the efficacy of Chloroquine and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine, either alone or in combination, before the launch of ACT by NVBDCP. A total of 300 P. falciparum malaria cases were enrolled randomly in three study arms, Chloroquine (CQ), Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and Chloroquine plus Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (CQ + SP). All patients were followed up for 28 days as per WHO (Assessment and Monitoring of Antimalarial Drug Efficacy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria, Geneva, 2003) Protocol. Paired blood samples of treatment failure cases were collected and subjected to MSP 1, MSP 2 and GLURP genotyping for differentiation between re-infection and recrudescence. The data were analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve according to WHO standard procedures. The overall failure rate including both early treatment failure (ETF) and late treatment failure (LTF) of CQ, SP and CQ + SP were 61%, 14% and 8%, respectively, in the study area. Of 60 recurrent malaria cases, genotyping was successful in 49 cases, revealing that most of the (46/49; 94%) cases of recurrent malaria were due to recrudescence. In Jalpaiguri District the overall failure rate of CQ was 61% and of SP 14%, which was well above the WHO recommended cut-off threshold level (10%) for change of drug policy.

Study comparing the clinical profile of complicated cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among adults and children

Objective To compare the clinical profile of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria in adults and children. Methods In this retrospective study, data were collected from case records of patients admitted with P. falciparum malaria to the paediatric and adult critical care facility of a tertiary care hospital in an endemic area. A total of 20 adults and children were compared for their symptoms. Results In this study, among all adults and children with P. falciparum malaria, the commonest symptom was fever with chills and rigors. Among children, the next common symptoms were altered sensorium and irritability. Nine children (45%) had cerebral malaria, among which five had seizures. Other common manifestations were reduced urine output (35%) and vomiting (35%). Among adults, vomiting (65%) was the most common symptom followed by headache (60%). Eight (40%) adults had jaundice while nine (45%) had complaints of decreased urine output. Among adults, 4 had altered sensorium, of which 2 had seizures and jaundice; and all 4 had renal impairment. Conclusions Clinical symptoms and profile of P. falciparum malaria differ among age groups. Early recognition of symptoms and treatment of malaria is paramount especially in children who tend to have higher rates of complications compared to adults.

In vitro susceptibility to quinine and microsatellite variations of the Plasmodium falciparum Na+/H+ exchanger (Pfnhe-1) gene: the absence of association in clinical isolates from the Republic of Congo

BackgroundQuinine is still recommended as an effective therapy for severe cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but the parasite has developed resistance to the drug in some cases. Investigations into the genetic basis for quinine resistance (QNR) suggest that QNR is complex and involves several genes, with either an additive or a pairwise effect. The results obtained when assessing one of these genes, the plasmodial Na+/H+ exchanger, Pfnhe-1, were found to depend upon the geographic origin of the parasite strain. Most of the associations identified have been made in Asian strains; in contrast, in African strains, the influence of Pfnhe on QNR is not apparent. However, a recent study carried out in Kenya did show a significant association between a Pfnhe polymorphism and QNR. As genetic differences may exist across the African continent, more field data are needed to determine if this association exists in other African regions. In the present study, association between Pfnhe and QNR is investigated in a series of isolates from central Africa.MethodsThe sequence analysis of the polymorphisms at the Pfnhe-1 ms4760 microsatellite and the evaluation of in vitro quinine susceptibility (by isotopic assay) were conducted in 74 P. falciparum isolates from the Republic of Congo.ResultsPolymorphisms in the number of DNNND or NHNDNHNNDDD repeats in the Pfnhe-1 ms4760 microsatellite were not associated with quinine susceptibility.ConclusionsThe polymorphism in the microsatellite ms4760 in Pfnhe-1 that cannot be used to monitor quinine response in the regions of the Republic of Congo, where the isolates came from. This finding suggests that there exists a genetic background associated with geographic area for the association that will prevent the use of Pfnhe as a molecular marker for QNR. The contribution of Pfnhe to the in vitro response to quinine remains to be assessed in other regions, including in countries with different levels of drug pressure.

Sub-clearance treatment to slow malaria drug resistance?

Huijben et al. [1] have recently made the provocative suggestion that sub-clearance drug treatment of clinical cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria would prolong the effective life-span of the drug and should be preferred over the current treatment strategy that aims to eliminate all parasites as rapidly as possible. The article provides strong experimental data from a mouse model and is the latest in a growing literature with an evolutionary epidemiological framework that suggests that many of our current beliefs on the underlying causes of the spread of drug resistance and on resistance management are flawed or at best incomplete [2–5].

Social and environmental determinants of malaria in space and time in Viet Nam

The malaria burden in Viet Nam has been in decline in recent decades, but localised areas of high transmission remain. We used spatiotemporal analytical tools to determine the social and environmental drivers of malaria risk and to identify residual high-risk areas where control and surveillance resources can be targeted. Counts of reported Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria cases by month (January 2007–December 2008) and by district were assembled. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were developed in a Bayesian framework. Models had the percentage of the district’s population living below the poverty line, percent of the district covered by forest, median elevation, median long-term average precipitation, and minimum temperature included as fixed effects, and terms for temporal trend and residual district-level spatial autocorrelation. Strong temporal and spatial heterogeneity in counts of malaria cases was apparent. Poverty and forest cover were significantly associated with an increased count of malaria cases but the magnitude and direction of associations between climate and malaria varied by socio-ecological zone. There was a declining trend in counts of malaria cases during the study period. After accounting for the social and environmental fixed effects, substantial spatial heterogeneity was still evident. Unmeasured factors which may contribute to this residual variation include malaria control activities, population migration and accessibility to health care. Forest-related activities and factors encompassed by poverty indicators are major drivers of malaria incidence in Viet Nam.

Combined Intravenous Treatment with Artesunate and Quinine for Severe Malaria in Italy

Severe imported malaria is an important problem in European countries, where approximately 8,000 cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria are reported each year. Although the World Health Organization recommends intravenous artesunate (IVA) as the treatment of choice for severe malaria in areas of low transmission, it is rarely used in Europe, because it is not yet available as a drug manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices. We report a series of eight imported severe falciparum malaria cases treated with IVA combined with intravenous quinine (IVQ). This combined therapy was found to be efficacious, safe, and well-tolerated. The only observed death occurred in a young man who presented 10 days after the onset of symptoms. IVA plus IVQ treatment seems to be an acceptable approach, because the legal risks in using an unlicensed drug for treating a severe malaria case denies the patient the possibility of being treated with the most effective regimen.

Intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in infants: a decision-support tool for sub-Saharan Africa

To develop a decision-support tool to help policy-makers in sub-Saharan Africa assess whether intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi) would be effective for local malaria control. An algorithm for predicting the effect of IPTi was developed using two approaches. First, study data on the age patterns of clinical cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, hospital admissions for infection with malaria parasites and malaria-associated death for different levels of malaria transmission intensity and seasonality were used to estimate the percentage of cases of these outcomes that would occur in children aged <10 years targeted by IPTi. Second, a previously developed stochastic mathematical model of IPTi was used to predict the number of cases likely to be averted by implementing IPTi under different epidemiological conditions. The decision-support tool uses the data from these two approaches that are most relevant to the context specified by the user. Findings from the two approaches indicated that the percentage of cases targeted by IPTi increases with the severity of the malaria outcome and with transmission intensity. The decision-support tool, available on the Internet, provides estimates of the percentage of malaria-associated deaths, hospitalizations and clinical cases that will be targeted by IPTi in a specified context and of the number of these outcomes that could be averted. The effectiveness of IPTi varies with malaria transmission intensity and seasonality. Deciding where to implement IPTi must take into account the local epidemiology of malaria. The Internet-based decision-support tool described here predicts the likely effectiveness of IPTi under a wide range of epidemiological conditions.