Molecular screening of Plasmodium infections among migrant workers in Thailand. -
Molecular screening of Plasmodium infections among migrant workers in Thailand.
J Vector Borne Dis. 2011 Dec;48(4):214-8
Authors: Kritsiriwuthinan K, Ngrenngarmlert W
Abstract
Background & 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. Conclusion: 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.
PMID: 22297283 [PubMed - in process] [PubMed-Malaria]