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Plasmodium malariae infections as a cause of febrile disease in an area of high Plasmodium falciparum transmission intensity in Eastern Uganda

Authors :
Daniel Ayo
Bakar Odongo
Joseph Omara
Chiara Andolina
Ole Mulder
Sarah G. Staedke
Teun Bousema
Source :
Malaria Journal, Vol 20, Iss 1, Pp 1-5 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
BMC, 2021.

Abstract

Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the vast majority of (severe) clinical malaria cases in most African settings. Other Plasmodium species often go undiagnosed but may still have clinical consequences. Case presentation Here, five cases of Plasmodium malariae infections from Eastern Uganda (aged 2–39 years) are presented. These infections were all initially mistaken for P. falciparum, but Plasmodium schizonts (up to 2080/µL) were identified by microscopy. Clinical signs included history of fever and mild anaemia. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of considering non-falciparum species as the cause of clinical malaria. In areas of intense P. falciparum transmission, where rapid diagnostic tests that detect only P. falciparum antigens are commonly used, non-falciparum malaria cases may be missed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14752875
Volume :
20
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Malaria Journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1c34fb99aa5e40ad9c0a7982b93185d2
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03962-1