2 research outputs found
Urban malaria in the Brazilian Western Amazon Region I. High prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in an urban riverside district is associated with a high level of clinical malaria
Cross sectional studies on malaria prevalence was performed in 2001,
2002, and 2004 in Vila Candelária, an urban riverside area of
Porto Velho, RondĂ´nia, in the Brazilian Western Amazon, followed
by longitudinal surveys on malaria incidence. Vila Candelária is a
working class district, provided with electricity, water supply, and
basic sanitation. Previous preliminary surveys indicated high malaria
incidence in this community. At the end of year 2000 regular diagnostic
and treatment measures for malaria were introduced, with active search
of febrile cases among residents. Despite of both rapid treatment of
cases and relative good sanitary and housing conditions, the malaria
incidence persisted at high levels during the following years with an
annual parasite index of 150 to 300/1000 inhabitants. Parasite surveys
in 2001, 2002, and 2004 achieved through microscopy and polymerase
chain reaction to diagnose malaria showed a constant high prevalence of
asymptomatic carriers for both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax
parasites. It was concluded that asymptomatic carriers represent an
important reservoirs of parasites and that the carriers might
contribute to maintaining the high level of transmission. Comparing our
findings to similar geo-demographic situations found in other important
urban communities of the Brazilian Amazon, we propose that asymptomatic
carriers could explain malaria's outbreaks like the one recently
observed in Manaus
Urban malaria in the Brazilian Western Amazon Region I. High prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in an urban riverside district is associated with a high level of clinical malaria
Cross sectional studies on malaria prevalence was performed in 200