The Incidence of Current Infection with Different Human Malaria Species by Polymerase Chain Reaction for Diagnosis of Suspicious Malaria Patients on Elimination Region Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeast of Iran

Background: Malaria, as a parasitic disease, is one of the most important public health problems in Iran. Malaria is mainly diagnosed by peripheral blood smear, stained by Giemsa; in Iran it is also diagnosed by blood smear that is highly depends on technician's skills and laboratory properties. Objectives: Correct diagnosis of malaria and identification of human malaria species in spite of the measures taken to eliminate the disease in Iran, have made the complete understanding of malaria epidemiology critical. Therefore, the current study aimed at investigating the epidemiology of 2 species of human Plasmodium in Sistan and Baluchistan province using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted on 100 patients suspected to malaria infection who referred to health centers of Chabahar, Iranshahr, Nikshahr, and Sarbaz districts. DNAs were extracted from blood samples using the specific kit, and nested-PCR reaction was performed to identify the Plasmodium species according to NP-2013 protocol. Results: Molecular analysis was performed on 100 samples suspected of malaria; 84 negative and 16 positive samples were detected including 8 Plasmodium vivax, 2 P. falciparum, and 6 mixed infections (P. vivax and P. falciparum). No P. ovale or P. malariae was observed. Conclusions: The results showed that malaria had a decreasing trend in Sistan and Baluchistan province. Therefore, the malaria elimination program is applicable and attainable in this region as a goal.