Emergence of Undetectable Malaria Parasites: A Threat under the Radar amid the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 103(2): 558-560, 2020 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-608342
ABSTRACT
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a critical role in malaria diagnosis and control. The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites that can evade detection by RDTs threatens control and elimination efforts. These parasites lack or have altered genes encoding histidine-rich proteins (HRPs) 2 and 3, the antigens recognized by HRP2-based RDTs. Surveillance of such parasites is dependent on identifying false-negative RDT results among suspected malaria cases, a task made more challenging during the current pandemic because of the overlap of symptoms between malaria and COVID-19, particularly in areas of low malaria transmission. Here, we share our perspective on the emergence of P. falciparum parasites lacking HRP2 and HRP3, and the surveillance needed to identify them amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Malaria, Falciparum
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ajtmh.20-0467
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