Neglected malaria parasites in hard-to-reach areas of Odisha, India: implications in elimination programme

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Madhusmita Bal, Ramakanta Rana, Arundhuti Das, Hemant Kumar Khuntia, Nilam Somalkar, Niranjan Sahoo, Jyoti Ghosal, Sanghamitra Pati, Ambarish Dutta, Manoranjan Ranjit
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021
• Subjects: Plasmodium ovale spp; Plasmodium malariae; PCR; Hard-to reach areas; Malaria elimination; Odisha; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic; Plateau Central
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-04010-8; https://doaj.org/article/5addf6cf31ee45aa9935b97c4de5bf0d

Abstract Background Information on the foci of Plasmodium species infections is essential for any country heading towards elimination. Odisha, one of the malaria-endemic states of India is targeting elimination of malaria by 2030. To support decision-making regarding targeted intervention, the distribution of Plasmodium species infections was investigated in hard-to-reach areas where a special malaria elimination drive, namely Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) began in 2017. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2228 households during July to November 2019 in six districts, to evaluate the occurrence of Plasmodium species. The species were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing, in case of Plasmodium ovale. Results Of the 3557 blood specimens tested, malaria infection was detected in 282 (7.8%) specimens by PCR. Of the total positive samples, 14.1% were P. ovale spp. and 10.3% were Plasmodium malariae infections. The majority of P. ovale spp. (75.8%) infections were mixed with either Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium vivax and found to be distributed in three geophysical regions (Northern-plateau, Central Tableland and Eastern Ghat) of the State, while P. malariae has been found in Northern-plateau and Eastern Ghat regions. Speciation revealed occurrence of both Plasmodium ovale curtisi (classic type) and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri (variant type). Conclusions In the present study a considerable number of P. ovale spp. and P. malariae were detected in a wide geographical areas of Odisha State, which contributes around 40% of the country’s total malaria burden. For successful elimination of malaria within the framework of national programme, P. ovale spp. along with P. malariae needs to be incorporated in surveillance system, especially when P. falciparum and P. vivax spp. are in rapid decline.