Molecular detection of Plasmodium in areas of autochthonous malaria in the Atlantic Forest biome of the State of São Paulo - the role of asymptomatic infections in the maintenance of transmission

• Grant number: 18/07890-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: March 25, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Maria Fátima Di Santi
• Grantee: Maria de Lourdes Rego Neves Farinas
• Host Institution: Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease that challenges the science and the control programs. In Brazil, most cases occur in the Amazon region, with 193,886 news cases in 2017, a worrying increase of 51% compared to 2016. In the Extra-Amazon Region, the impact of the disease is due to imported cases and to the occurrence of outbreaks. In 2017, from 445 reported cases, 86 were classified as autochthonous, with low parasitemia and poor symptomatology. The State of Sao Paulo notified 14 autochthonous cases in 2017, all in regions located in the Atlantic Forest. This number may be higher, since the cases were diagnosed by the malaria reference test, the thick blood smear, whose sensitivity varies depending on the observer's experience and blood parasitemia. Due to their high sensitivity, molecular tests have been used for detection of asymptomatic infections with low parasitemias. The objective of this study is to apply PCR protocols (qPCR, LAMP and nested PCR) in 537 blood samples from individuals living in outbreak areas, in municipalities of the State of Sao Paulo covered by Atlantic Forest. The use of molecular protocols in the population from areas near to the index cases will allow the detection of asymptomatic individuals harboring Plasmodium that acts as source for the transmission of new cases. Additionally, will provide the accurate diagnosis of the circulating Plasmodium species. The results will be useful for evaluating the profile of the outbreaks areas, improving the control strategies in autochthonous events.Keywords: Malaria, molecular diagnosis, asymptomatic cases.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FARINAS, MARIA DE LOURDES REGO NEVES; ASCHAR, MARIANA; COSTA-NASCIMENTO, MARIA DE JESUS; DI SANTI, SILVIA MARIA. An algorithm based on molecular protocols to improve the detection of Plasmodium in autochthonous malarial areas in the Atlantic Forest biome. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, v. 64, p. 10-pg., 2022-01-01. (12/18014-5, 18/07890-5, 11/07380-8)

ASCHAR, MARIANA; SANCHEZ, MARIA CARMEN A.; COSTA-NASCIMENTO, MARIA DE JESUS; FARINAS, MARIA DE LOURDES R. N.; HRISTOV, ANGELICA D.; LIMA, GISELLE F. M. C.; INOUE, JULIANA; LEVI, JOSE E.; DI SANTI, SILVIA M.. Ultrasensitive molecular tests for Plasmodium detection: applicability in control and elimination programs and reference laboratories. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública = Pan American Journal of Public Health, v. 46, p. 10-pg., 2022-01-01. (12/18014-5, 18/07890-5, 11/07380-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FARINAS, Maria de Lourdes Rego Neves. Farinas MLRN. Molecular detection of Plasmodium in autochthonous malaria areas located in Atlantic Forest biome of the state of Sao Paulo. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) São Paulo.