Publication
Title
Molecular identification of Plasmodium species in symptomatic children of Democratic Republic of Congo
Author
Abstract
Background: Worldwide, the highest malaria mortality is due to Plasmodium falciparum infection. However, other species of Plasmodium (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi) can also cause malaria. Therefore, accurate identification of malaria species is crucial for patient management and epidemiological surveillance.This study aimed to determine the different Plasmodium species causing malaria in children under 5 years old in two provinces (Kinshasa and North Kivu) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods: From October to December 2015, a health-facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in General Reference Hospitals in Kinshasa and North Kivu. Four hundred and seven blood samples were collected from febrile children aged <= 5 years. Nested polymerase chain reaction assays were performed for Plasmodium species identification. Results: Out of 407 children, 142 (34.9%) were infected with Plasmodium spp. and P falciparum was the most prevalent species (99.2%). Among those infected children, 124 had a mono infection with P. faiciparum and one with P. malariae. Mixed infections with P. falciparum/P. malariae and P. falciparum/P. vivax were observed in 6 (1.5%) and 8 (2.0%) children, respectively. The prevalence of infection was higher in females (64.8%) than in males (35.2%), p<0.001. The age-specific distribution of infection showed that children of less than 2 years old were less infected (18.4%) compared to those aged above 2 years (81.6%), p<0.001. Conclusion: Although this study showed clearly that the most prevalent species identified was P. faiciparum, the findings demonstrate the existence of non-falciparum malaria, especially P. malariae and P. vivax among children aged <= 5 years living both Kinshasa and North Kivu Provinces in DRC.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Malaria journal. - London
Publication
London : 2018
ISSN
1475-2875
DOI
10.1186/S12936-018-2480-5
Volume/pages
17 (2018) , 7 p.
Article Reference
334
ISI
000445428700001
Pubmed ID
30236117
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2018
Last edited 02.10.2024
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