Molecular screening of Plasmodium infections among migrant workers in Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
A cross - sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections among migrant workers in Thailand.


METHODS
A total of 241 migrants at Kanchanaburi, Pathumthani and Nakornpathom provinces of Thailand were recruited in our surveillance. Blood samples were examined for human malaria parasites by using microscopy and semi - nested multiplex PCR (SnM- PCR).


RESULTS
Laboratory diagnosis revealed 6.2% total positive rate. As compared to microscopy (26.7%), SnM- PCR was more sensitive (93.3%) for malaria. Plasmodium falciparum was predominant than P. vivax (53% : 40%, respectively). The majority of positive cases were from Myanmar workers who had low parasitaemia and without symptoms. The highest prevalence (13.7%) was found among migrant workers from Kanchanaburi province in western Thailand.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate risk of malaria transmission from migrant workers. Malaria surveillance should be included in the health- screening program for migrants in Thailand to manage this health risk.
Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Patumthani, Thailand.
Kanyanan
K
Kritsiriwuthinan
Warunee
W
Ngrenngarmlert
D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*