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. 2017 Jan-Mar;12(1):90-100.

Absence of Asymptomatic Malaria Infection in a Cross-sectional Study in Iranshahr District, Iran under Elimination Programmes

Sakineh Pirahmadi  1 , Sedigheh Zakeri  1 , Ahmad Raeisi  2
Affiliations

Absence of Asymptomatic Malaria Infection in a Cross-sectional Study in Iranshahr District, Iran under Elimination Programmes

Sakineh Pirahmadi et al. Iran J Parasitol. 2017 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic malaria infection provides a reservoir of parasites, causing the persistence of malaria transmission. It accounts an important challenge for successful management of the control, elimination, and eradication programmes in any malaria-endemic region. This investigation was designed to assess the presence and the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in Iranshahr district of Sistan and Baluchistan Province (2013-2014), with a considerable population movement, during the malaria elimination phase in Iran.

Methods: Finger-prick blood samples were collected from symptomless (n=250) and febrile (n=50) individuals residing in Iranshahr district, easthern Iran (Hoodian, Mand, Chah-e Giji, Jolgehashem, Esfand, Dalgan and Chahshour) during Jan 2013 to Dec 2014, and Plasmodium infections were detected using light microscopic and highly sensitive nested-PCR techniques.

Results: Thick and thin Giemsa-stained blood smears were negative for Plasmodium parasites. In addition, based on nested-PCR analysis, no P. vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae parasites were detected among the studied individuals.

Conclusion: Investigation the absence of asymptomatic carriers in Iranshahr district was illustrated and achieving malaria elimination in this area is feasible in a near future.

Keywords: Asymptomatic malaria; Elimination; Iran; Plasmodium.

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Figures

Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
The map of Iran showing the study areas (Hoodian, Mand, Chah-eGiji, JolgeHashem, Esfand and DalganVillages are located in Dalgan County and Chahshour Village is located in Bazman County)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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