biostudies-literatureSilva RFundação para a Ciência e a TecnologiaLA-REALCE3C316https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11491027biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)<h4>Background</h4>Submicroscopic Plasmodium infections can be a source of persistent malaria transmission. The aim of this study was to assess their frequency, distribution, morbidity and associated factors in a pre-elimination malaria setting in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau, where the Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant Plasmodium species.<h4>Methods</h4>Dried fingerprick whole blood samples from 601 participants in the 2017 national, household-based, cross-sectional survey to estimate malaria prevalence were subjected to DNA extraction. The DNA was used in nested end-point PCR assays targeting genus- and species-specific regions of the Plasmodium 18S rRNA genes. Statistical analysis of socio-demographic, clinical and molecular data was carried out using the Statistical PackageMalaria journalAssessing the burden of submicroscopic Plasmodium infections in a pre-elimination malaria setting in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau.PMC11491027UIBD/00329/2020GHTM-UID/04413/2020LA/P/0117/2020Lopes LFRodrigues AMedeiros MMSilva RArez APfalseAssessing the burden of submicroscopic Plasmodium infections in a pre-elimination malaria setting in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau.<h4>Background</h4>Submicroscopic Plasmodium infections can be a source of persistent malaria transmission. The aim of this study was to assess their frequency, distribution, morbidity and associated factors in a pre-elimination malaria setting in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau, where the Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant Plasmodium species.<h4>Methods</h4>Dried fingerprick whole blood samples from 601 participants in the 2017 national, household-based, cross-sectional survey to estimate malaria prevalence were subjected to DNA extraction. The DNA was used in nested end-point PCR assays targeting genus- and species-specific regions of the Plasmodium 18S rRNA genes. Statistical analysis of socio-demographic, clinical and molecular data was carried out using the Statistical Package2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2025-04-18T13:07:33.102Z2025-04-06T22:40:00.04ZS-EPMC114910273942715910.1186/s12936-024-05138-z