American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 84, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 161-165

Post-arrival screening for malaria in asymptomatic refugees using real-time PCR (Article) (Open Access)

Matisz C.E. , Naidu P. , Shokoples S.E. , Grice D. , Krinke V. , Brown S.Z. , Kowalewska-Grochowska K. , Houston S. , Yanow S.K.
  • a Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada
  • b Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada
  • c Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada
  • d New Canadians Clinic, Edmonton, AB T5H 2V6, Canada
  • e New Canadians Clinic, Edmonton, AB T5H 2V6, Canada
  • f Dynalife Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 5E2, Canada
  • g Medical Microbiology Laboratory, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada
  • h University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
  • i Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 8440 112th Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J2, Canada

Abstract

Malaria is a significant health risk to refugee populations originating from endemic areas, but there is little consensus on screening and/or treatment approaches for malaria in this population. Furthermore, detection of malaria in semi-immune asymptomatic refugees is limited by the sensitivity of diagnostic tests used for screening. We determined the prevalence of malaria by microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a consecutive population of 324 asymptomatic refugees examined in Edmonton, Canada, during 2009-2010. Although all thick and thin blood smear results were negative, 10 subjects (3.1%) tested PCR positive for Plasmodium DNA. Interestingly, 6 of 10 PCR positive subjects are at risk of malaria relapse by P. vivax or P. ovale infections. These results suggest that appropriate guidelines for malaria screening should consider the risk of relapsing infections, and they highlight the potential usefulness of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of asymptomatic malaria. Copyright © 2011 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Plasmodium ovale Plasmodium ovale malaria refugee mass screening methodology predictive value human Refugees middle aged Malaria blood smear Aged screening test relapse intermethod comparison Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Canada protozoal DNA female preschool child Infant Child, Preschool diagnostic test accuracy study polymerase chain reaction sensitivity and specificity Article Plasmodium vivax adult major clinical study microscopy Plasmodium vivax malaria real time polymerase chain reaction Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79952260504&doi=10.4269%2fajtmh.2011.10-0494&partnerID=40&md5=e884c3dee73d6cb8dcf7b4a10baa222e
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0494
ISSN: 00029637
Cited by: 19
Original Language: English