Epidemiological characterization of Plasmodium falciparum in the Republic of Cabo Verde: implications for potential large-scale re-emergence of malaria.
BACKGROUND
Malaria has come near eradication at archipelago of Cabo Verde in 1970. Infections are now only observed in Santiago, where outbreaks occur. In these islands, malaria is considered by the international community as being of limited risk and, therefore, no prophylaxis is recommended. Since the understanding of factors that determine malaria outbreaks are crucial for controlling the disease, the present study aimed to investigate if the malaria infections observed in Santiago Island are maintained in isolated foci and in asymptomatic individuals.


METHODS
The occurrence of asymptomatic carriers in villages with history of malaria as well as the level of exposure of these populations were investigated using PCR and serological analyses.


RESULTS
Results indicate that malaria is maintained as asymptomatic and sub-patent infections and that the majority of the circulating parasite populations harbour chloroquine-resistant mutations.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations highlight the alarming prospect of malaria to become a serious public health problem and underscore the need for a tighter surveillance.
Alves
Joana
J
Direcção Geral de Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Palácio do Governo, CP 47, Cabo Verde. Joana.Alves@MS.gov.cv
Roque
Ana Luísa
AL
Cravo
Pedro
P
Valdez
Tomás
T
Jelinek
Tomas
T
Rosário
Virgílio E do
VE
Arez
Ana Paula
AP
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine