ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2019
Molecular detection of P. vivax and P. ovale foci of infection in asymptomatic and symptomatic children in Northern Namibia.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparison of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infections by a meta-analysis approach.Scientific reports · 2021Pooled it
- Targeting malaria in high-risk populations in low endemic regions in northern Namibia: a quasi-experimental controlled trial to reduce malaria in seasonal agricultural workers and cattle herders.BMJ global health · 2025Trial
- Prevalence of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae Mixed Infections and Associated Mortality in Children with Severe Falciparum Malaria.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2026Article
- Article
- Malaria in Angola: recent progress, challenges and future opportunities using parasite demography studies.Malaria journal · 2022Review
- The primate malaria parasites Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium brasilianum and Plasmodium ovale spp.: genomic insights into distribution, dispersal and host transitions.Malaria journal · 2022Review
- Diagnostic Characteristics of Lactate Dehydrogenase on a Multiplex Assay for Malaria Detection Including the Zoonotic Parasite Plasmodium knowlesi.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2021Article
- Malaria parasite species composition of Plasmodium infections among asymptomatic and symptomatic school-age children in rural and urban areas of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.Malaria journal · 2021Article
- Children with Plasmodium vivax infection previously observed in Namibia, were Duffy negative and carried a c.136G > A mutation.BMC infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Zoonotic Malaria: Non-Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Review
- Recent Molecular Assessment of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Asymptomatic Infections in Botswana.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2021Article
- Basic Research ofFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2021Review
- Malaria risk factors in northern Namibia: The importance of occupation, age and mobility in characterizing high-risk populations.PloS one · 2021Article
- Past and current biological factors affecting malaria in the low transmission setting of Botswana: A review.Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases · 2020Review
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundKnowledge of the foci of Plasmodium species infections is critical for a country with an elimination agenda. Namibia is targeting malaria elimination by 2020. To support decision making regarding targeted intervention, we examined for the first time, the foci of Plasmodium species infections and regional prevalence in northern Namibia, using nested and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
methodsWe used cross-sectional multi-staged sampling to select 952 children below 9 years old from schools and clinics in seven districts in northern Namibia, to assess the presence of Plasmodium species.
resultsThe median participant age was 6 years (25-75%ile 4-8 y). Participants had a median hemoglobin of 12.0 g/dL (25-75%ile 11.1-12.7 g/dL), although 21% of the cohort was anemic, with anemia being severer in the younger population (p<0.002). Most of children with Plasmodium infection were asymptomatic (63.4%), presenting a challenge for elimination. The respective parasite prevalence for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and Plasmodium ovale curtisi (Po) were (4.41%, 0.84% and 0.31%); with Kavango East and West (10.4%, 6.19%) and Ohangwena (4.5%) having the most prevalence. Pv was localized in Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshana, while Po was found in Kavango. All children with Pv/Pf coinfections in Ohangwena, had previously visited Angola, affirming that perennial migrations are risks for importation of Plasmodium species. The mean hemoglobin was lower in those with Plasmodium infection compared to those without (0.96 g/dL less, 95%CI 0.40-1.52 g/dL less, p = 0.0009) indicating that quasi-endemicity exists in the low transmission setting.
conclusionsWe conclude that Pv and Po species are present in northern Namibia. Additionally, the higher number of asymptomatic infections present challenges to the efforts at elimination for the country. Careful planning, coordination with neighboring Angola and execution of targeted active intervention, will be required for a successful elimination agenda.
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