DETECTION AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF IMPORTED MALARIA IN EGYPT
ABSTRACT
Background: Microscopy consider the gold standard test for diagnosis of malaria although application of it is limited to use to highly experienced microscopists. Serological tests and nPCR is providing efficient diagnostic tests and applied for malaria diagnosis and research.
The work aim: The work aim is detection and genetic analysis of imported malaria in Egypt.
Patients and method:This study is a cross section one.750 patients' blood samples were collected from different laboratories in Egypt from persons travel to African endemic areas coming to Egypt within previous 8 weeks; in the period from August 2017 to August 2018. All samples were examined microscopically, immunologically by(RDT) and 21positive cases examined by nPCR as a confirmatory test and for detection of parasite genotype.
Results:Plasmodium species were identified microscopically in27(3.6%) out of750 individuals, 13of them were diagnosed as Pl.falciparum,7 were Pl.vivax, one was Pl.ovale and6 were mixed infection with Pl.falciparum and Pl.vivax. nPCR for species identification were performed for 21cases positive by first step PCR. 12cases were Pl.falciparum; 5cases were Pl.vivax and 4were mixed Pl.falciparum and Pl.vivax infections. The result of nPCR was exactly identical to the microscopic result.
Conclusion:the major two species of malaria imported to Egypt were P.vivax and P.falciparum. Detection of species of malaria microscopically stills the gold standard test.Using nested PCR tests for diagnosis of malaria and its species is highly accurate, sensitive and specific, and able to detect species of malaria.