Molecular evidence of mixed P. vivax and P. falciparum infections in northern Islamic Republic of Iran

East Mediterr Health J. 2004 May;10(3):336-42.

Abstract

This study compared basic microscopy with molecular detection of Plasmodium species. According to thick-film microscopy, 100% of 142 malaria cases in Pars-Abad, Ardebil province, were infected with a single species, P vivax. However, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected mixed species infections of both P. vivax and P. falciparum in 7.0%. In Mazanderan province, 2/20 blood films were diagnosed with only P. falciparum and 18/20 with only P. vivax. However, nested PCR detected 17/20, 2/20 and 1/20 with P. vivax only, P. falciparum only and mixed species respectively. The unexpected presence of P. falciparum urges prompt investigation and immediate treatment of malaria cases in this region.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coloring Agents
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Iran
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology*
  • Malaria, Vivax / complications*
  • Malaria, Vivax / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Vivax / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Vivax / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy / standards
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Epidemiology / methods*
  • Molecular Epidemiology / standards
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / ultrastructure
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics*
  • Plasmodium vivax / ultrastructure
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Seasons
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Coloring Agents