Age-Related Clinical Spectrum of Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria and Predictors of Severity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly reported in Southeast Asia, but prospective studies of its clinical spectrum in children and comparison with autochthonous human-only Plasmodium species are lacking.

Methods

Over 3.5 years, we prospectively assessed patients of any age with molecularly-confirmed Plasmodium monoinfection presenting to 3 district hospitals in Sabah, Malaysia.

Results

Of 481 knowlesi, 172 vivax, and 96 falciparum malaria cases enrolled, 44 (9%), 71 (41%), and 31 (32%) children aged ≤12 years. Median parasitemia was lower in knowlesi malaria (2480/μL [interquartile range, 538-8481/μL]) than in falciparum (9600/μL; P < .001) and vivax malaria. In P. knowlesi, World Health Organization-defined anemia was present in 82% (95% confidence interval

SUBMITTER: Grigg MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6051457 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature