Estimating the malaria transmission of Plasmodium vivax based on serodiagnosis

Abstract

BackgroundPlasmodium vivax re-emerged in 1993 and has now become a major public health problem during the summer season in South Korea. The aim of this study was to interpret and understand the meaning of seroepidemiological studies for developing the best malaria control programme in South Korea.MethodsBlood samples were collected in Gimpo city, Paju city, Yeoncheon County, Cheorwon County and Goseong County of high risk area in South Korea. Microscopy was performed to identify patients infected with P. vivax. Antibody detection for P. vivax was performed using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).ResultsA total of 1,574 blood samples was collected from participants in the study areas and evaluated against three parameters: IFAT positive rate, annual antibody positive index (AAPI), and annual parasite index (API). The IFAT positive rate was 7.24% (n = 114). Of the five study areas, Gimpo had the highest IFAT positive rate (13.68%) and AAPI (4.63). Yeongcheon had the highest API in 2005 (2.06) while Gimpo had the highest API in 2006 (5.00). No correlation was observed between any of the three parameters and study sites' distance from the demilitarized zone (DMZ).ConclusionsThese results showed that P. vivax antibody levels could provide useful information about the prevalence of malaria in endemic areas. Furthermore, AAPI results for each year showed a closer relationship to API the following year than the API of the same year and thus could be helpful in predicting malaria transmission risks.

Prevalence of Mutant Alleles Responsible for Chloroquine Resistance among Plasmodium falciparum Isolates in North Central, Nigeria

“…However, the differences were not statistically significant. This is consistent with findings of Atroosh et al [23].…”

Limited sequence polymorphisms of four transmission-blocking vaccine candidate antigens in Plasmodium vivax Korean isolates

“…The outbreak has continued with fluctuating numbers of annual indigenous cases since the re-emergence, with total accumulated cases of up to 32,000, although the number of annual cases is currently decreasing [26]. Several recent studies have strongly suggested that the genetic diversity of P. vivax Korean isolates has rapidly disseminated in recent years [21,27-29], and that local transmission of the parasite is possibly established in South Korea.…”

Targeting Asymptomatic Malaria Infections: Active Surveillance in Control and Elimination

“…ACD for P. vivax may, therefore, require several rounds to capture individuals when their infections relapse, often without causing clinical symptoms. Sero-diagnosis, whereby anyone who is sero-positive is assumed to be infected and is treated [59], is one potential approach to overcome this challenge. A second approach is mass drug administration (MDA).…”

“…However, when the prevalence of infection detected by RDT or PCR is low, evidence of recent or past infection can be used to identify high-risk geographic regions or populations, or conversely to confirm absence of transmission [68]–[70]. Sero-diagnosis may also serve as a surrogate for potential liver carriage of P. vivax [59].…”