ArticleMalaria journal2020
Detection of remaining Plasmodium DNA and gametocytes during follow up after curative malaria treatment among returned travellers in Norway.
Article in Malaria journal, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed.
- Persistent and multiclonal malaria parasite dynamics despite extended artemether-lumefantrine treatment in children.Nature communications · 2024Trial
- Persistence ofMicrobiology spectrum · 2026Article
- Unveiling the overlooked burden of malaria misdiagnosis using lamp-based re-evaluation of routine malaria diagnosis in health centers: implications for public health and clinical practice in Northwest Ethiopia.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Detection and quantification of Plasmodium falciparum in human blood by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: a proof of concept study.Malaria journal · 2023Article
- The temporal dynamics of Plasmodium species infection after artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) among asymptomatic children in the Hohoe municipality, Ghana.Malaria journal · 2023Article
- Performance of a novel melting curve-based qPCR assay for malaria parasites in routine clinical practice in non-endemic setting.Malaria journal · 2023Article
- Laboratory evaluation of the miniature direct-on-blood PCR nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (mini-dbPCR-NALFIA), a simplified molecular diagnostic test for Plasmodium.Malaria journal · 2023Article
- Persistence of Residual Submicroscopic P. falciparum Parasitemia following Treatment of Artemether-Lumefantrine in Ethio-Sudan Border, Western Ethiopia.Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2022Article
- Malaria prevalence and performance of diagnostic tests among patients hospitalized with acute undifferentiated fever in Zanzibar.Malaria journal · 2022Article
- Low Complexity of Infection Is Associated With Molecular Persistence ofFrontiers in epidemiology · 2022Article
- Malaria Diagnosis in Non-Endemic Settings: The European Experience in the Last 22 Years.Microorganisms · 2021Review
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPCR can be positive weeks after effective malaria treatment, potentially leading to over diagnose of recrudescence and re-infections. The DNA detected by PCR post-treatment might stem from residuals of destroyed asexual parasites, or from live gametocytes. The objective of this clinical observational study was to describe the presence of positive PCR for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in follow-up samples post-treatment from returned travellers, and the proportion of positive PCR due to gametocytes.
methodsWhole blood was collected during hospitalization and outpatient routine follow-up from 13 patients with imported malaria. DNA was extracted applying QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit, while mRNA was collected and extracted applying PAXgene Blood RNA Tubes and Kit. All DNA samples (N = 25) were analysed with a genus-specific cytb real-time SYBR PCR, and P. falciparum DNA samples (N = 22) were also analysed with a falciparum-specific varATS real-time TaqMan PCR. All the mRNA samples (N = 18) were analysed with both a genus-specific 18S rRNA RT-PCR and a gametocyte-specific Pfs25 (P. falciparum)/Pvs25 (P. vivax) RT-PCR.
resultsLatest samples were collected at day 1 (n = 2) and from day 11-54 (n = 11) after treatment. Genus DNA cytb PCR was positive up to 49 days after effective treatment, and 18S rRNA transcripts from active P. falciparum parasites were detectable for at least 11 days. Gametocyte-specific mRNA was detected at latest only two days after treatment. Among six patients with late positive PCR for P. falciparum, four had high parasitaemia at admittance (6-30%), while two had parasitaemia < 2%. Late detection of P. vivax was not found by any of the PCR methods.
conclusionsDNA-based PCR can be positive up to at least seven weeks after curative malaria treatment, potentially leading to over-diagnose of recrudescence and re-infections. Based on the observations in this study, it is unclear if the DNA origins from residuals of destroyed parasites or live gametocytes, warranting further investigations.
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