American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 72, Issue 6, 2005, Pages 688-693

Rapid malaria screening and targeted treatment of United States-bound Montagnard refugees from Cambodia in 2002 (Article)

Causer L.M.* , Bishop H.S. , Sharp D.J. , Flagg E.W. , Calderon J.F. , Keane V. , Shah J.J. , Macarthur J.R. , Maloney S.A. , Cetron M.S. , Bloland P.B.
  • a Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-22, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States, Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-22, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
  • b Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-36, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
  • c Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-03, Executive Park 57, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • d Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-03, Executive Park 57, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • e International Organization for Migration, No 46, Street 310, Chamcar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • f International Organization for Migration, No 46, Street 310, Chamcar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • g Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-03, Executive Park 57, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • h Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-22, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
  • i Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-03, Executive Park 57, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • j Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-03, Executive Park 57, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • k Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop F-22, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States

Abstract

In 2002, a group of Montagnard refugees living in Cambodia was accepted for resettlement in the United States. Pre-departure malaria screening and targeted treatment was conducted to prevent morbidity, and minimize the potential for local malaria transmission post-arrival. We screened 902 of 906 refugees using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Twelve (1.3%) RDT results were positive and 28 (3.1%) were indeterminate. Microscopy confirmed Plasmodium species in two of the positive RDT and one of the indeterminate results. Among a random 10% sample of negative RDT results (n = 86), none were positive by microscopy. The PCR confirmed the two microscopically (and RDT) positive specimens. The PCR result was negative for all other specimens tested. Eighteen (2.0%) refugees were treated with antimalarials. The RDTs were useful in this setting, facilitating timely, sensitive diagnosis and targeted treatment. Evaluations to determine the most appropriate interventions in other refugee settings should include cost-effectiveness analyses of alternative strategies. Copyright © 2005 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

mefloquine refugee Cambodia human Refugees Malaria Aged artesunate screening Humans Adolescent Antimalarials male antimalarial agent female diagnostic test polymerase chain reaction Article infection control infection prevention major clinical study adult microscopy parasite transmission quinine cost effectiveness analysis Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-23844513522&partnerID=40&md5=a15d8e746ac1441a49db299c7d4c933f
ISSN: 00029637
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English