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| Author(s): |
Maria de Lourdes Rêgo Neves Farinas
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2021-09-29 |
| Examining board members: |
Sílvia Maria Fátima di Santi;
Andrés Jimenez Galisteo Junior;
Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado
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| Advisor: | Sílvia Maria Fátima di Santi |
| Abstract | |
Malaria is one of the most relevant tropical diseases in the world and is a major challenge for science and control programs. It is a febrile, acute infectious disease and can lead to severe cases. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of the Plasmodium infected Anopheles mosquito. Most cases in Brazil occur in the Amazon Region. However, in the Extra-Amazon Region, considered as a non-endemic area, the disease has an impact on epidemiological surveillance due to imported cases and the possibility of outbreaks. In this region, malaria is relevant due to the occurrence of autochthonous cases with low parasitemia and mild symptoms. The State of Sao Paulo has historically presented malaria transmission in regions located in the Atlantic Forest biome. The number of cases reported by the surveillance agencies can be underreported, since the diagnosis is based on the reference test, the thick blood smear, whose sensitivity varies significantly depending on the examiner\'s experience and blood parasitemia. Molecular tests have high sensitivity and are useful for confirming the microscopic diagnosis by detecting mixed infections and asymptomatic individuals with low parasitemias. The aim of this study was to use PCR (qPCR and nested PCR) protocols in blood samples from inhabitants from autochthonous malaria areas in the State of Sao Paulo. We processed 955 samples by thick blood smear and qPCR. Results point to a difference statistically significant in positivity between microscopy (6.9%) and qPCR (22.9%) in the whole blood samples collected in EDTA. The use of molecular protocols in the population living in areas adjacent to autochthonous cases will allow the detection of asymptomatic patients with Plasmodium, that act as a source for the transmission of new cases. The results will contribute to the improvement of surveillance and control activities in malaria outbreaks (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/07890-5 - 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 |
| Grantee: | Maria de Lourdes Rego Neves Farinas |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |