The epidemiology of malaria in an epidemic area of the Peruvian Amazon.
A longitudinal study of malariometric indicators and their association with potential risk factors was conducted during August 1997-July 1998 at Padre Cocha, a village of 1,400 residents in the Peruvian Amazon. The incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infections during the study year was 166/1,000 persons; that of P. vivax was 826/1,000 persons. The mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 2 days; presenting geometric mean parasite densities were 3,976 parasites/microl for P. falciparum infections and 2,282 parasites/microl for P. vivax. There were no malaria-associated deaths. Consistent with the epidemic nature of malaria in the area, the incidence of both parasite species increased with age and there were no age-specific differences in mean parasite densities. No specific occupational risks for malaria were identified. Activities significantly associated with malaria risk reflected local vector behavior and included strolling outdoors after 6:00 PM and arising before 6:00 AM for adults, and attending evening church services for children.
Roper
M H
MH
U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima, Peru.
Torres
R S
RS
Goicochea
C G
CG
Andersen
E M
EM
Guarda
J S
JS
Calampa
C
C
Hightower
A W
AW
Magill
A J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000254:growth & development; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000962:Antimalarials