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. 2022 Jul 18;16(7):e0010527.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010527. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Prevalence of simian malaria among macaques in Malaysia (2000-2021): A systematic review

Janeeca Sam  1 , Nadia Aqilla Shamsusah  2 , Amatul Hamizah Ali  3 , Rozita Hod  4 , Mohd Rohaizat Hassan  4 , Hani Kartini Agustar  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of simian malaria among macaques in Malaysia (2000-2021): A systematic review

Janeeca Sam et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of Malaysia to eliminate malaria nationwide by 2020 seems need to be prolonged. Whilst Malaysia has successfully eliminated human malaria transmission, simian malaria parasites such as Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui and P. cynomolgi are the emerging cause of malaria in humans. The epidemiological study of simian malaria in primates provides useful information in identifying the risk of human-macaques Plasmodium infection.

Methodology/principal findings: This study was performed to gather all available data in terms of simian malaria epidemiology study among macaques in Malaysia over the last two decades. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines to select appropriate articles as references. Data searches were performed through international databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, CrossRef, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct for original articles published from 2000 until 2021. The review identified seven simian malaria epidemiology studies in Malaysia over the 20-year study period. Most studies were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia (5/7; 71%) followed by East Malaysia (2/7; 29%). All studies showed positive detection of Plasmodium parasites in macaques. The most prevalent Plasmodium species in macaques was P. inui (49.27%) and the least prevalent was P. fieldi (4.76%). The prevalence of simian malaria was higher in East Malaysia compared to Peninsular Malaysia. The mono, dual and triple infection types were the most common among macaques.

Conclusion/significance: The non-human primates like macaques are the reservoir of simian plasmodium in Malaysia. Hence, the study of host epidemiology is an important insight to public health management as there is a high occurrence of simian malaria in Malaysia. The right measurement can be taken as well to prevent the transmission of simian malaria from macaques to humans.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart of selected articles for the systematic review following the PRISM guidelines.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The map of Malaysia (Peninsular and East Malaysia) together with the total number of samples collected in each state (Malaysia map is adapted from https://malaysiageography.blogspot.com/p/peta.html with permission from the owner).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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