Asymptomatic Submicroscopic Plasmodium Infection Is Highly Prevalent and Is Associated with Anemia in Children Younger than 5 Years in South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo.

Asymptomatic Submicroscopic Plasmodium Infection Is Highly Prevalent and Is Associated with Anemia in Children Younger than 5 Years in South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Mar 02;: Authors: Lufungulo Bahati Y, Delanghe J, Bisimwa Balaluka G, Sadiki Kishabongo A, Philippe J Abstract One of the most important problems in controlling malaria is the limited access to effective and accurate diagnosis of malaria parasitemia. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and the relationship with asymptomatic submicroscopic Plasmodium infection. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,088 apparently healthy children aged between 6 and 59 months selected at random in the health zone of Miti Murhesa in South Kivu/DRC. Capillary blood was obtained for hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measurement by Hemocue® Hb 301. Malaria detection was performed by microscopy and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Anemia was defined as Hb < 11g/dL. We applied the chi-square test for comparisons, and multiple logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for anemia and submicroscopic Plasmodium infection. The prevalence of anemia was 39.6%, and the prevalence of parasitemia was 15.9% and 34.0% using microscopy and LAMP test, respectively. Submicroscopic Plasmodium i...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Tags: Am J Trop Med Hyg Source Type: research