Singh Rupashree, Godson Igboanua Ifeanyi, Singh Sanjay, Singh Rajendra Bahadur, Isyaku Nike Tawakaltu, Ebere Ukatu Victoria
Department of Biological Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
J Vector Borne Dis. 2014 Jun;51(2):128-32.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In malaria endemic areas, continuous exposure to Plasmodium parasites leads to asymptomatic carriers that provide a reservoir, contributing to the persistence of malaria transmission. Thus, a study of the degree of prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemias will help in assessing the level of reservoir of infection.
All the consented participants without any signs and symptoms, suggestive of malaria were interviewed and thick blood smears were made to detect malaria parasites. The children presenting with malaria or any other severe illness, and those declining to give consent were excluded from the study.
A total of 118 (59.6%) children out of 198 apparently healthy children were positive for malaria parasites while 80 (40.4%) children were negative for malaria parasites. Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was higher in males 75 (63.6%) compared to females 43 (36.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Incidence of asymptomatic malaria was highest with 76.1% in the children aged 6- 10 yr. There was statistically significant association of the use of bednet on prevalence of asymptomatic malaria.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: High prevalence of asymptomatic malaria detected in this study is a big challenge and can be a threat to the present malaria control programme. Thus, it should be considered in assessing and reorganising more effective malaria elimination strategies to achieve the desired goal of malaria control.
在疟疾流行地区，持续接触疟原虫会导致无症状携带者的出现，这些携带者成为一个传染源，促使疟疾传播持续存在。因此，研究无症状疟原虫血症的流行程度将有助于评估感染源的水平。
对所有同意参与且无任何疟疾迹象和症状的参与者进行访谈，并制作厚血涂片以检测疟原虫。患有疟疾或任何其他严重疾病的儿童以及拒绝同意参与的儿童被排除在研究之外。
198名看似健康的儿童中，共有118名（59.6%）儿童疟原虫检测呈阳性，80名（40.4%）儿童疟原虫检测呈阴性。无症状疟疾的患病率男性为75名（63.6%），高于女性的43名（36.4%），但差异无统计学意义。6至10岁儿童无症状疟疾的发病率最高，为76.1%。使用蚊帐与无症状疟疾患病率之间存在统计学上的显著关联。
本研究中检测到的无症状疟疾的高患病率是一个巨大挑战，可能对当前的疟疾控制计划构成威胁。因此，在评估和重新组织更有效的疟疾消除策略以实现疟疾控制的预期目标时应予以考虑。
