Absence of asymptomatic cases of malaria in a historically endemic indigenous locality of the Department of CaaguazĂș, Paraguay: moving toward elimination

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Paraguay was among the 16 countries that reported zero indigenous malaria cases in 2014. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was performed in 100 adults from Santa Teresa, Paraguay. Parasite detection was carried out using seminested multiplex polymerase...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Main Authors: Eugenia Duarte de Barrios, Graciela Russomando, Florencia del Puerto
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0197-2016
https://doaj.org/article/b0934a3874ae48daa9b9422fd5cf7d25
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Summary:Abstract INTRODUCTION: Paraguay was among the 16 countries that reported zero indigenous malaria cases in 2014. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was performed in 100 adults from Santa Teresa, Paraguay. Parasite detection was carried out using seminested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopy. RESULTS Among the participants, 44% were female and 56% were male, and 89% had a malaria history. No parasites were detected with either of the methods. CONCLUSIONS: There were no asymptomatic cases in Santa Teresa, and this finding is very promising. A longitudinal study should be performed to confirm that there are no asymptomatic cases in this locality.