Asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in 18 villages of southern Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR (Laos).

ABSTRACT:

Background

A large fraction of Plasmodium infections do not cause clinical signs and symptoms of disease and persist at densities in blood that are not detectable by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests. These infections may be critical as a transmission reservoir in areas of low malaria endemicity. Understanding the epidemiology of these infections would be helpful for malaria elimination.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Thapangthong and Nong Districts of Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, to determine the prevalence of parasitaemia. A total of 888 blood samples were collected from afebrile volunteers aged ≥15 years in 18 villages during March and July 2015. Plasmodium infections were diagnosed by rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and high volume, ultra-sensitive q

SUBMITTER: Phommasone K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4882819 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature