Open AccessPrevalence of submicroscopic malaria in low transmission state of Punjab: A potential threat to malaria elimination
Author(s) -
Taruna Kaura,
Jaspreet Kaur,
Ayush Sharma,
Ashish Dhiman,
Mangesh Pangotra,
Anjali Upadhyay,
Gagandeep Singh Grover,
Surya K. Sharma
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of vector borne diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.581
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 0972-9062
DOI - 10.4103/0972-9062.257780
Subject(s) - malaria , ethidium bromide , biology , nested polymerase chain reaction , population , virology , 18s ribosomal rna , plasmodium (life cycle) , transmission (telecommunications) , polymerase chain reaction , parasite hosting , ribosomal rna , medicine , immunology , gene , genetics , dna , environmental health , world wide web , computer science , electrical engineering , engineering
Submicroscopic malaria infections with low parasite density serve as a silent reservoir for maintaining residual transmission in the population. These infections should be identified and targeted to be eliminated for sustained malaria control. The conventional methods of diagnosis such as light microscopy and rapid diagnostic kits often fail to detect low density infections. Therefore, the more sensitive molecular techniques should be employed to detect low density infections. The objectives of the study was to explore the prevalence of sub-microscopic infections in low transmission areas of Punjab using highly sensitive molecular tool.