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The presence of Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium knowlesi in near malaria elimination setting in western Indonesia

Nainggolan IRA 1 , Syafutri RD 1 , Sinambela MN 1 , Devina C 2 , Handayani 2 , Hasibuan BS 2 Show all authors , Chuangchaiya S 3 , Divis PCS 4 , Idris ZM 5 , Permatasari R 6 , Lubis IND 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
  • 2 Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
  • 3 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, 47000, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
  • 4 Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
  • 7 Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia. inke.nadia@usu.ac.id
Malar J, 2022 Nov 05;21(1):316.
PMID: 36333701 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04335-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Indonesia is progressing towards malaria elimination. To achieve this goal, intervention measures must be addressed to cover all Plasmodium species. Comprehensive control measures and surveillance programmes must be intensified. This study aims to determine the prevalence of microscopic and submicroscopic malaria in Langkat district, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six villages in Langkat district, North Sumatera Province in June 2019. Data were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Finger pricked blood samples were obtained for malaria examination using rapid diagnostic test, thick and thin blood smears, and polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: A total of 342 individuals were included in the study. Of them, one (0.3%) had a microscopic Plasmodium malariae infection, no positive RDT examination, and three (0.9%) were positive for P. malariae (n = 1) and Plasmodium knowlesi (n = 2). The distribution of bed net ownership was owned by 40% of the study participants. The participants had a house within a radius of 100-500 m from the forest (86.3%) and had the housing material of cement floor (56.1%), a tin roof (82.2%), wooden wall (35.7%), bamboo wall (28.1%), and brick wall (21.6%).

CONCLUSION: Malaria incidence has substantially decreased in Langkat, North Sumatera, Indonesia. However, submicroscopic infection remains in the population and may contribute to further transmission. Surveillance should include the detection of microscopic undetected parasites, to enable the achievement of malaria elimination.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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