Prevalence of human malaria infection in bordering areas of Balochistan with Sindh province: district Jaffarabad

The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of malarial infections in human population of district Jaffarabad, the hottest areas of Balochistan, Pakistan. The study was conducted in district Jaffarabad [10 localities] from July, 2006 to June, 2008. Malarial parasites were identified in the blood slides of 6283 suspected patients of the disease. Out of 6283 suspected cases of malaria, 2968 [47.2%] were found to be positive for malarial parasite in blood smear slides. Out of positive cases, 2407 [81%] were identified as Plasmodium vivax infection, 561 [18.9%] cases with P. falciparum. However, seasonal variation was also noted with the highest [250/274] infection of P. vivax in April and lowest [172/249] in December. The prevalence was higher [77.9%] in males. Age wise, the prevalence of the disease was 84.3% in the age group of 1-10 years and 81% in the age group of 11-20 years. There was no case of P. malariae and P. ovale detected in the present study. No association was found between types of infection and age groups. In clinically suspected cases of malaria, slide positivity rate is high. The high prevalence rate of P. vivax poses a significant health hazard but of P. falciparum also may lead to serious complications like cerebral malaria. The high frequency of human malaria infection should be of great concern for authorities at malaria control program in Pakistan

Malarial parasites species; Jacobabad District Sindh, Pakistan

To determine the pattern of malarial parasites species in Jacobabad District Sindh. A retrospective observational study. This study was conducted at District Malarial control Centre Jacobabad with collaboration of pathology Department C.M.C Larkana and Leishmaniasis / Mosquito Zoology Lab: University of Balochistan Quetta. One year 2005. During the study period blood smears were prepared from the suspected cases of malaria. The suspected cases with fever referred from various areas of Jacobabad District by General Practitioners, Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and Taluka Hospital were included in the study for conformation of malaria. The parasites were identified by using Giemsa stained thick and thin smears. During the study period total of 58,989 blood smears were examined irrespective of age and sex and were conformed for malarial parasites, giving over all positivity rate of 0.91% [540 cases]. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 154 [28.52%] and Plasmodium vivax in 386 [71.48%] cases. The positive cases for malarial parasites were 0.91% and Plasmodium vivax found as most predominant species in the region

Malarial parasite; slide positivity rate at shikarpur district Sindh Pakistan

To determine the slide positivity rate and to document the different species of malarial parasite at district Shikarpur, Sindh, Pakistan. A retrospective study. This study was conducted at district Malaria control centre Shikarur with collaboration of Pathology Department CMC Larkana and Leishmaniaisis/Mosquito Zoology Lab: University of Balochistan Quetta over the period of one year i.e. 2006. During the study period blood smears were prepared from the suspected cases of malaria. The patients with differentiated fever referred from various areas of Shikarpur District by general practitioners, basic health units, rural health centres and taluka hospitals were included in the study for confirmation of malaria. The parasites were identified by using Giemsa stained thick and thin smears following Mansen-Bahar and Bell, 1987. During the study period total of 67550 Blood smears were examined irrespective of age and se and 740 were confirmed for malarial parasites, giving an overall slide positivity rate of 1.09%. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 267 [36.08%] cases and plasmodium vivax in 473 [63.92%] cases. The slide positivity rate of malarial parasite in this study was 1.09% and plasmodium vivax found as most predominant species in this part of the world