Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Copenhagen University, Nørregade 10, 1172 Copenhagen, Denmark
Research Article
Detection of Asymptomatic Plasmodium Falciparum Infections by PCR: A Cross-sectional Survey during the Malaria Elimination Programme in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia
Author(s): Ibrahim Elhassan*, Ahmed Sahly, Seham Elamin, Aymen Abdelhaleem, Robert W. Snow and Mohammed Elfaki
Background: While the world has made great strides against malaria continuing to be a public health challenge, especially in areas approaching elimination, the situation in the Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia is a bit more optimistic. Saudi Arabia has spent significant efforts since 2004 controlling Plasmodium falciparum transmission and as a result has lowered the rate of locally acquired P. falciparum cases to only two recorded cases as of 2018. That being said, asymptomatic and submicroscopic cases could undermine elimination efforts. This study examined the prevalence of asymptomatic infections in a low transmission setting through molecular diagnostics.
Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was carried out In Samtah Province in southeastern Jazan. Blood samples were collected from 230 healthy, asymptomatic individuals ages 2&.. Read More»
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