Epidemiology and distribution of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Sudan

Amanda G Elgoraish; Salah Eldin G Elzaki; Rania TagElsir Ahmed; Arwa Ibrahim Ahmed; Huda A Fadlalmula; Shymaa Abdalgader Mohamed; Nusiba I Abdallah; Osman Abdelgadir; Tellal B Ageep; Badria B El-Sayed

doi:10.1093/trstmh/trz044

Epidemiology and distribution of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Sudan

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Sep 6;113(9):517-524. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trz044.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan.
² Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
³ National University Research Institute, National University, Khartoum, Sudan.
⁴ Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Kordofan, Elobeid, Sudan.

PMID: 31162590
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz044

Abstract

Background: Plasmodium vivax malaria has been recognised as an important cause of morbidity in several African countries. The prevalence was previously estimated as 2-5% in eastern Sudan. These estimates are observed to be rising and spreading continuously. The present study was undertaken to investigate the situation of distribution and epidemiology of P. vivax malaria in Sudan.

Methods: Cross-sectional malaria surveys carried out in hospitals and health centres covered 21 sites in 10 states. Data and blood samples were collected from 1226 clinically investigated suspected malaria cases of both genders and all ages. Microscopically detected malaria parasites were confirmed by PCR.

Results: The overall prevalence of P. vivax among the malaria cases was 26.6%. The prevalence showed significant variations between the states (p<0.001), which could be explained by differences in population movement, the presence of refugees and proximity to endemic neighbouring countries. It also varied significantly with residence status (p<0.001), reflecting the stability of transmission.

Conclusion: Although malaria in Sudan is still largely attributed to Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax has been rising with worrying proportions and spreading to new areas. The emergence and marked increase of P. vivax poses new challenges to malaria treatment and control in Sudan.

Keywords: vivax; PCR; Sudan; malaria; prevalence.

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