Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41454402›Full record

Observational studyMalaria journal2025

Epidemiological and clinical profile of malaria patients in Isfahan Province, Iran: a retrospective analysis from 2009 to 2025.

Sara Lesani, Mohammad Javad Boozhmehrani, Mahnaz Golban, Zahra Ghayour Najafabadi

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Malaria journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Sara LesaniDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohammad Javad BoozhmehraniDepartment of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. mohammadmehrani2012@yahoo.com.
Mahnaz GolbanDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Zahra Ghayour NajafabadiDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. z_ghayour@yahoo.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMalaria remains a significant global health challenge despite remarkable declines in incidence, in Isfahan Province, Iran, historically considered an endemic area. Although national elimination programmes have reduced transmission, imported cases continue to sustain malaria risk. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of malaria in Isfahan Province from 2009 to 2025.

methodsA retrospective observational analysis was conducted using surveillance data from the Isfahan Center for Disease Control. All microscopically confirmed malaria cases reported between January 2009 and January 2025 were included. Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data were extracted via a standardized checklist. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were applied to identify trends and risk factors for severe malaria.

resultsA total of 569 cases were reported during the study period, with incidence declining sharply after 2009, but fluctuating during subsequent years, including a resurgence in 2024. Most cases occurred in males (96.1%) and individuals aged 15-24 years (53.6%), with Afghan nationals comprising 80.8% of infections. Imported cases represented 80.8% of the total burden, underscoring migration-related risks. Plasmodium vivax accounted for 88.0% of cases, while Plasmodium falciparum (4.6%) was strongly associated with severe disease (adjusted odds ratio 22.6; 95% CI 1.24-410.8; p = 0.035). Seasonal peaks were observed in spring and summer, and per capita incidence was higher in rural counties despite absolute urban predominance.

conclusionsMalaria incidence in Isfahan Province has markedly declined over the past 16 years; however, imported cases, predominantly among migrant workers, remain the central challenge to elimination. The dominance of P. vivax alongside the clinical severity of P. falciparum highlights the need for species-specific strategies. Strengthened cross-border collaboration, targeted interventions for migrant populations, and enhanced surveillance in high-risk rural areas are essential to sustain elimination efforts.

Indexed as

MalariaMalaria, FalciparumMalaria, VivaxAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansIncidenceInfantInfant, NewbornIranMaleEliminationEpidemiologyImported casesIsfahan ProvinceMalariaPlasmodium falciparumPlasmodium vivax

Identifiers

PMID41454402
PMCPMC12849269

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.