scholarly journals Comparison of the OptiMAL Test with PCR for Diagnosis of Malaria in Immigrants

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 3644-3646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshaid Iqbal ◽  
Ali Sher ◽  
Parsotam R. Hira ◽  
Rashed Al-Owaish
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Optimal Test ◽  
Great Caution ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Parasitemia Level ◽  
Test Flow ◽  
Conventional Microscopy ◽  
High Level

The OptiMAL test (Flow Inc., Portland, Oreg.), which detects a malaria parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) antigen, has not been evaluated for its sensitivity in the diagnosis of malaria infection in various epidemiological settings. Using microscopy and a PCR as reference standards, we performed a comparison of these assays with the OptiMAL test for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum andPlasmodium vivax infection in 550 immigrants who had come from areas where malaria is endemic to reside in Kuwait, where malaria is not endemic. As determined by microscopy, 125 (23%) patients had malaria, and of these, 84 (67%) were infected with P. vivax and 36 were infected with P. falciparum; in 5 cases the parasite species could not be determined due to a paucity of the parasites. The PCR detected malaria infection in 145 (26%) patients; 102 (70%) of the patients had P. vivax infection and 43 had P. falciparum infection. Of the five cases undetermined by microscopy, the PCR detected P. falciparuminfection in two cases, P. vivax infection in two cases, and mixed (P. falciparum plus P. vivax) infection in one case. Correspondingly, the OptiMAL test detected malaria infection in 95 patients (17%); of these, 70 (74%) hadP. vivax infection and 25 were infected with P. falciparum. In this study, 61 (49%) of the 125 malaria cases, as confirmed by microscopy, had a degree of parasitemia of <100 parasites per μl, and 23 (18%) of the cases had a degree of <50 parasites per μl. Our results show that the sensitivity of the OptiMAL test is high (97%) at a high level of parasitemia (>100 parasites/μl) but drops to 59% when the level is <100 parasites/μl and to 39% when it is <50 parasites/μl. In addition, the OptiMAL test failed to identify four patients whose blood smears contained P. falciparumgametocytes only. We conclude that the sensitivity and specificity of the OptiMAL test are comparable to those of microscopy in detecting malaria infection at a parasitemia level of >100 parasites/μl; however, the test failed to identify more than half of the patients with a parasitemia level of <50 parasites/μl. Thus, the OptiMAL test should be used with great caution, and it should not replace conventional microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria infection.

Asymptomatic Malaria Infection and Their Antibodies Against Malaria: A Study in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S116-S116
Author(s):  
Carlo Ledesma ◽  
Ma Gina Sadang
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
National Commission ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Specific Igg

Abstract Human malaria, caused by four species of Plasmodium, namely P falciparum, P vivax, P malariae, and P ovale, remains a health problem of global concern, with one to two million deaths annually and risking about two billion people worldwide. Alternative ways of controlling the incidence of malaria through understanding the host’s immune response to monoinfection and the detection of the presence of asymptomatic malaria infection are the factors being addressed in this study. The determination of the possible existence of cross-antigenic stimulation is a matter of great significance for future research and development. The isolation of these antigenic structures may give the first step to the development of better vaccines that may protect the general population who are at risk of developing malaria. Prior to blood collection, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the researcher and the Iraya-Mangyan leaders of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. A Certificate Precondition was issued by the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples, which was required by the Graduate School Ethics Review Committee. Determination of the presence of malaria parasite on blood samples of residents of two barangays in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, was performed using two methods: microscopic examination of stained blood smears for the presence of malaria parasite and polymerase chain reaction. Blood smears were prepared and eventually stained using Giemsa and Dip Quick stains. The detection of 5 positive cases of malaria infection with ring/schizont stage among the 53 cases was a clear indication of positive asymptomatic cases. Nested PCR using Plasmodium spp.–specific primer as well as P falciparum–specific and P vivax–specific primers showed the absence of bands so that one of the recommendations in this study is the performance of real-time PRC using more sensitive primers. Levels of P falciparum and P vivax–specific immunoglobulin were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealing a higher level of PF-specific IgG than PV-specific IgG. Whole blood samples were saved for future determinations such as real-time PCR, immunophenotypic analysis, and possible parasitic culture. Further similar studies may also be done by increasing the number of respondents as well as the areas of concern for a more extensive scope.

scholarly journals A cornucopia of research resources for the fourth rodent malaria parasite species

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Carlton
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
First Century ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Rodent Malaria Parasite ◽  
Malaria Parasites ◽  
Rodent Malaria ◽  
Human Malaria ◽  
Plasmodium Vinckei ◽  
Research Resources

AbstractThe study of human malaria caused by species of Plasmodium has undoubtedly been enriched by the use of model systems, such as the rodent malaria parasites originally isolated from African thicket rats. A significant gap in the arsenal of resources of the species that make up the rodent malaria parasites has been the lack of any such tools for the fourth of the species, Plasmodium vinckei. This has recently been rectified by Abhinay Ramaprasad and colleagues, whose pivotal paper published in BMC Biology describes a cornucopia of new P. vinckei ‘omics datasets, mosquito transmission experiments, transfection protocols, and virulence phenotypes, to propel this species firmly into the twenty-first century.

scholarly journals Effects of Leishmania Species on Immune Response against Malaria Parasite in Malaria Leishmania Coinfections

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Mosab Nouraldein Mohammed Hamad ◽  
Sufian Khalid M. Noor ◽  
Awadalla H. Kashif ◽  
Mohammed Medani Eltayeb ◽  
Bader Saud Alotaibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Leishmania Species ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Major Histocompatibility Class

Both malaria and leishmania  are most widespread protozoon parasitic diseases, certainly in tropical countries of the world. Malaria leishmania coinfection is common in leishmaniasis endemic areas which is mostly endemic to malaria too. Researchers notice that in cases of malaria leishmania coinfection , leishmania species find the some extent the outcome of malaria infection , but also behavior of malaria parasite species play a significant role to figure the consequences of it. While L. donovani protect from severe malaria complications by suppression of major histocompatibility class Ⅱ , so it diminish the clinical severity of malaria but not malaria parasite density due to dysfunction of major histocompatibility class I, which controlled by suppressed one, In another side L. mexicana tends to sequester in macrophages and lead to severe clinical outcomes when it coexisted with malaria parasite at same host. Experimental studies required to know more information about coinfection of different malaria and leishmania species to establish clinical research. Leishmania infection excluded when studies aim to assess the immune response to only malaria parasite, experimental studies required involving different species of malaria and leishmania.

scholarly journals Proteinuria and malaria parasite counts in children

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahrani Lubis ◽  
Rusdidjas Rusdidjas ◽  
Rafita Ramayati ◽  
Oke Rina Ramayani ◽  
Rosmayanti S Siregar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urine Dipstick ◽  
Weak Association ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Moderate Malnutrition ◽  
Peripheral Blood Smears

Background Malaria-induced proteinuria has been observed insevere cases of malaria. Few studies have been done to assess foran association between proteinuria and malaria parasite countsbefore the disease becomes severe.Objective To investigate a possible association between proteinuriaand malaria parasite counts in children .Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on school-agedchildren in Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal, between Septemberto November 2010. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopicexamination of peripheral blood smears. Children with malariaunderwent proteinuria t ests by urine dipstick method. Anassociation between proteinuria and malaria parasite counts wasanalyzed using linear regression test.Results Of 181 participants with Plasmodium fak:iparum malaria,53.6% were female and had a mean age of 7.8 years. Subjects'nutritional status were as follows: 50.8% normoweight, 28.2%mild malnutrition, 3 .3% moderate malnutrition, and 17. 7% severemalnutrition. Clinical manifestations showed 36.5% suffered fromsubfebrile temperatures and 29.8% had pallor. Proteinuria occurredin 45.9% participants and there was a weak association betweenproteinuria and malaria parasite counts (raa .261, Paa .0001).Conclusion There is a weak association between proteinuria andmalaria parasite counts in children.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF THE COMBINATION OF PASAK BUMI ROOT AND PROPOLIS EXTRACTS ON PARASITEMIA LEVELS IN MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI

2019 ◽  
pp. 268-271
Author(s):  
NUR HASANAH ◽  
HENDRI ASTUTY
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Plasmodium Berghei ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Propolis Extract ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Global Concern

Objective: Malaria infection remains a global concern due to increasing resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy. This study examinedthe antimalarial effects of propolis extract alone and in combination with pasak bumi root extract.Methods: In the study, 30 mice were divided into six groups including two control groups, two groups of mice treated with propolis aloneat concentrations of 90 and 180 mg/kg body weight (BW), and two combination groups of mice treated with 90 or 180 mg/kg BW propolis incombination with 60 or 75 mg/kg BW pasak bumi, respectively. Plasmodium berghei 2% was injected into each mouse, and blood smears wereprepared after 8 days to assess parasitemia.Results: The results revealed no significant difference in parasitemia levels between the positive control and the two combination groups (p=0.136 and0.289, respectively). However, superior growth inhibition (GI) results were observed in the combination groups (97.97% and 97.83%, respectively)than in the propolis monotherapy groups, whereas better outcomes were observed in the positive control group (98.63% GI) than in the propolismonotherapy groups (23.88% and 51.66%, respectively).Conclusion: These results illustrate that combination therapy is superior to propolis monotherapy in inhibiting parasitemia.

scholarly journals PD-1 Deficiency Enhances Humoral Immunity of Malaria Infection Treatment Vaccine

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 2011-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiping Liu ◽  
Xiao Lu ◽  
Chenghao Zhao ◽  
Xiaolan Fu ◽  
Tingting Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Humoral Immunity ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Blood Stage ◽  
Infection Treatment ◽  
New Evidence

Malaria infection treatment vaccine (ITV) is a promising strategy to induce homologous and heterologous protective immunity against the blood stage of the parasite. However, the underlying mechanism of protection remains largely unknown. Here, we found that a malaria-specific antibody (Ab) could mediate the protective immunity of ITV-immunized mice. Interestingly, PD-1 deficiency greatly elevated the levels of both malaria-specific total IgG and subclass IgG2a and enhanced the protective efficacy of ITV-immunized mice against the blood-stage challenge. A serum adoptive-transfer assay demonstrated that the increased Ab level contributed to the enhanced protective efficacy of the immunized PD-1-deficient mice. Further study showed that PD-1 deficiency could also promote the expansion of germinal center (GC) B cells and malaria parasite-specific TFHcells in the spleens of ITV-immunized mice. These results suggest that PD-1 deficiency improves the protective efficacy of ITV-immunized mice by promoting the generation of malaria parasite-specific Ab and the expansion of GC B cells. The results of this study provide new evidence to support the negative function of PD-1 on humoral immunity and will guide the design of a more effective malaria vaccine.

Microsatellite loci over a thirty-three year period for a malaria parasite (Plasmodium mexicanum): bottleneck in effective population size and effect on allele frequencies

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. SCHALL ◽  
K. M. ST. DENIS
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Effective Population Size ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Parasite Plasmodium

SUMMARYChanges in population allele frequencies may be driven by several forces, including selection and drift, and are revealed only by sampling over many generations. Such studies, however, are rare for protist parasites. Microsatellite allele frequencies for 4 loci were followed in a population of Plasmodium mexicanum, a malaria parasite of lizards in California USA at 1 site from 1978 to 2010. Rapid turnover of the lizards indicates the parasite was studied for a minimum of 33 transmission cycles and possibly twice that number. Sample sizes ranged from 841 to 956 scored parasite clones per locus. DNA was extracted from frozen dried blood and blood removed from stained blood smears from the earliest years, and a verification study demonstrated DNA from the blood smears provided valid genetic data. Parasite prevalence and effective population size (Ne) dropped after 2000, remaining lower for the next decade. For 2 loci, allele frequencies appeared stable for the first 2 decades of the study, but changed more rapidly after the decline in prevalence. Allele frequencies changed more gradually for the other 2 loci. Genetic drift could account for changes in allele frequencies, especially after the drop in prevalence and Ne, but the force of selection could also have driven the observed patterns.

scholarly journals Effect of Seasonality and Ecological Factors on the Prevalence of the Four Malaria Parasite Species in Northern Mali

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ousmane A. Koita ◽  
Lansana Sangaré ◽  
Hammadoun A. Sango ◽  
Sounkalo Dao ◽  
Naffet Keita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hot Dry Season

Background. We performed 2 cross-sectional studies in Ménaka in the Northeastern Mali across 9 sites in different ecological settings: 4 sites have permanent ponds, 4 without ponds, and one (City of Ménaka) has a semipermanent pond. We enrolled 1328 subjects in May 2004 (hot dry season) and 1422 in February 2005 (cold dry season) after the rainy season.Objective.To examine the seasonality of malaria parasite prevalence in this dry northern part of Mali at the edge of the Sahara desert.Results. Slide prevalence was lower in hot dry than cold dry season (4.94 versus 6.85%,P=0.025). Gametocyte rate increased to 0.91% in February. Four species were identified.Plasmodium falciparumwas most prevalent (74.13 and 63.72%).P. malariaeincreased from 9.38% to 22.54% in February. In contrast, prevalence ofP. vivaxwas higher (10.31%) without seasonal variation. Smear positivity was associated with splenomegaly (P=0.007). Malaria remained stable in the villages with ponds (P=0.221); in contrast, prevalence varied between the 2 seasons in the villages without ponds (P=0.004).Conclusion. Malaria was mesoendemic; 4 species circulates with a seasonal fluctuation forPlasmodium falciparum.

scholarly journals DEspRhigh neutrophils are associated with critical illness in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne T. deKay ◽  
Ivette F. Emery ◽  
Jonathan Rud ◽  
Ashley Eldridge ◽  
Christine Lord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cell ◽  
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽  
Extracellular Traps ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Secondary Tissue ◽  
Immune Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Cell Subpopulations ◽  
High Level ◽  
Negative Controls

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 infection results in a spectrum of outcomes from no symptoms to widely varying degrees of illness to death. A better understanding of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent, often excessive, inflammation may inform treatment decisions and reveal opportunities for therapy. We studied immune cell subpopulations and their associations with clinical parameters in a cohort of 26 patients with COVID-19. Following informed consent, we collected blood samples from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 within 72 h of admission. Flow cytometry was used to analyze white blood cell subpopulations. Plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines were measured using ELISA. Neutrophils undergoing neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) formation were evaluated in blood smears. We examined the immunophenotype of patients with COVID-19 in comparison to that of SARS-CoV-2 negative controls. A novel subset of pro-inflammatory neutrophils expressing a high level of dual endothelin-1 and VEGF signal peptide-activated receptor (DEspR) at the cell surface was found to be associated with elevated circulating CCL23, increased NETosis, and critical-severity COVID-19 illness. The potential to target this subpopulation of neutrophils to reduce secondary tissue damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection warrants further investigation.

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