Situation of Asymptomatic Malaria Among Iranian Native and Afghan and Pakistani Immigrants in a Malarious Area Under the National Malaria Elimination Program of Iran



Askari S¹ ; Nateghpour M^{1, 2} ; Motevalli Haghi A¹ ; Farivar L¹ ; Raeisi A¹ ; Mohebali M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Journal of Parasitology Published:2020

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to detect, if there are asymptomatic malaria infections amongst native and immigrant population from Afghani-stan and Pakistan countries in Sistan & Baluchistan Province of Iran, where is under the national malaria elimination program. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among native individuals and resident immigrants in the southeastern province of Sistan & Baluchistan from May 2016 to Jul 2017. A total of 271 individuals were considered in this cross-sectional study based on microscopical method, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and PCR techniques. Out of 271 native and immigrant par-ticipants 140 (52%) and 131 (48%) were male and female, respectively. Results: None of the prepared samples was diagnosed as malaria positive case when was considered via above mentioned three techniques. Conclusion: Neither native nor immigrant individuals had asymptomatic malaria, hinting that national malaria elimination program is performed according to planned schedule in the studied areas. © 2020, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.