Sensitivity and specificity of the Asan Easy Malaria P.f/P.v tests (made by Asan Korean Company) in the diagnosis of P. falciparum and P.vivax malaria was investigated compared to Giemsa microscopy and re-checked by PCR technique. A total of 283 tests were conducted in the provinces of Lai Chau, Quang Binh and Binh Phuoc, and 90 other ones were carried out with cultured P. falciparum at the laboratories of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology. The different results were found with two method as 111 positive cases were confirmed by Giemsa staining (59 P.falciparum and 54 P.vivax), while only 94 positive tests (53 P.falciparum and P.vivax) were determined by Asan. The samples with different results by two methods were re-cheked by PCR technique for confimation. The sensitivity and specificity of Asan tests in Plasmodium species detection were 97.8 and 89.9%, respectively, in general, and 99.0% and 91.2% in diagnosis of P falciparum, and 75.9% and 97% of P. vivax, in particular. However, in the following-up period (2-3 days), both methods showed the same results of parasite re-examination
Malaria ; Diagnosis ; Malaria, Vivax

Under the current epidemiological conditions as found in Korea, and considering the limited funds available for the malaria project, passive case detection proved to be the only practical mechanism to obtain reliable data required for the delimitation of malarious areas. The malaria map of the country was completed at the end of 1965. The high SPRs found among the blood smears reported by the PCD undts are due to the fact that the Korean farmer is able to recognize the clinical symptoms of the disease. The "fever case" reports are therefore actually "suspect malaria case" reports. The consistently high SPR has resulted in the detection of a large number of parasite carriers with the number of smears to be examined being reduced to a minimum. Although the medical group gave an important contribution to the success of the PCD service in Korea, the number of medical and public health facilities in the rural areas are still too small. This made it necessary to obtain the collaboration of laymen groups like school teachers, village chiefs etc., and their participation largely contributed to the success of the present programme. The degree of collaboration by the PCD units is higher in the more malarious areas. As no form of encouragement e.g., a reporting fee, has been given to these laymen during the past few years it becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain their active co-operation. It is felt that through passive case detection alone it will not be possible to collect adequate information to provide the proof for the complete interruption of transmission.
parasitology-protozoa ; Plasmodium vivax ; malaria ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Molecularornucleicacid-based method has been developed for diagnosis as well as epidemiological studies of malaria infection recent years. We developed and evaluated a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-hybridization assay for its usefulness in diagnosis and genotyping of vivax malaria resurged in South Korea. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 30 patients diagnosed as vivax malaria and 48 patients with other diseases. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) gene fragment of Plasmodium vivax was amplified by PCR and hybridized with genotype (VK210 or VK247)-specific oligonucleotide probes. The performance of the assay was evaluated and compared with that by a commercially available immunochromatographic test (ICT; AMRAD, Australia). RESULTS: Twenty-five out of thirty P. vivax-positive blood samples were positive for the PCR-hybridization assay. All products amplified were hybridized only with the VK210-specific probe and showed size polymorphism with approximately 900~ and 865 bp, suggesting of genetic variations of CSP gene. Based on the results of Giemsa-stained blood smear, comparative analysis of test performance demonstrated that sensitivities of the PCR-hybridization assay and ICT were 83.3% and 73.3%, respectively and no false positive results were found. The ktest ratio of two tests yielded results of 0.91 with excellent correlation. CONCLUSOIN: The study suggested that vivax malaria resurged in South Korea has the VK210 genotype of CSP with presence of genetic variants, and that the PCR-hybridization assay is useful for diagnosis as well as genotyping of vivax malaria.
Diagnosis* ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax* ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Plasmodium vivax ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

A total of 10.140 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected during the period 1985-1995 in 5 study sites. ELISA(+) reactions were detected in 229 mosquito samples from 10 Anopheles species of An.minimus, An.dirus, An.vagns, An.maculatus, An.subpictus, An.campestris, An.tessellatus, An.jeyporiensis, An.aconitus, An.spl. In Bai Tranh (Thanh Hoa province), Khanh Phu and Khanh Nam (Khanh Hoa province), 7 species were found to be infected with malaria sporozoites as An.minimus, An.dirus, An.vagus, An.maculatus. An.aconitus, An.tessellatus, An.jeyporiensis. In the brackish water commune Phong Phu (Binh Chanh district, HCM city) and in Can Giuoc district (Long An province), 7 species were found to be infected with malaria sporozoites as An. subpictus, An.sinensis, An.sundaicus, An.campestris, An.vagus, An.tessellatuss, An.spl. The positive infection rate was An.dirus (4,5% - 8,5%), An.minimus (8,3%) in Khanh Phu and Khanh Nam (Khánh Hòa) and An.sinensis (4,5% - 11%). An.campestris (6,6% - 6,7%), An.vagus (4,6%) in Phong Phu (HCM city) and Can Giuoc (Long An)
malaria ; diagnosis ; malaria, falciparum ; mosquitoes ; Sporozoites ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; malaria ; malaria, falciparum ; mosquitoes ; Sporozoites ; malaria, vivax

Malaria is a reemerging infectious disease in Korea. We experienced a case of asymptomatic P. vivax malaria accompanied by thrombocytopenia, mimicking immune thrombocytopenic purpura. The patient was exposed to mosquito 12 weeks ago. She experienced a characteristic febrile episode lasting for 2 weeks and remained asymptomatic thereafter. It was 7 weeks after the characteristic febrile episode when the diagnosis was established by the parasitemia. Malaria should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia in Korea, especially in patients with febrile episodes.
Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; Culicidae ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax* ; Parasitemia ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE: A positive finding on a peripheral blood smear is the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria. However, even for an expert microscopist, this test is a laborious and time consuming procedure. Therefore, it is crucial to have available a rapid and simple test that can be used in an emergency department environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a rapid diagnostic kit for vivax malaria antigen and antibody among febrile patients visiting a local emergency medical center. METHODS: Peripheral blood smears, and malaria antigen and antibody tests were evaluated for 593 patients with fever and other commonly associated symptoms of malaria who visited our local emergency medical center between August 2008 and December 2009. RESULTS: Sixty nine cases of vivax malaria were confirmed by peripheral blood smear. Sensitivities of malaria antigen and antibody in patients of malaria were, respectively, 94.20% (65/69) and 76.81% (53/69); specificities were 100% (524/524) and 99.24% (520/524). CONCLUSION: Considering rapidity, high sensitivity and specificity, the rapid malaria antigen test is useful as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for detection of malaria infection in an emergency department environment.
Antigens, Protozoan ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Emergencies ; Fever ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Sensitivity and Specificity

We report an unusual case of Plasmodium vivax malaria that occurred in a 22-year-old ankylosing spondylitis patient after initiating adalimumab therapy. P. falciparum malaria was initially included as a possible differential diagnosis due to hyperparasitemia and similar features in the peripheral blood smear. The patient was successfully treated with conventional therapy for P. vivax malaria.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Young Adult ; Adalimumab

BACKGROUND: Alteration in plasma lipid levels during malaria attacks was studied to evaluate the diagnstic values in vivax malaria. METHODS: The plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) were analyzed and compared in 32 patients with vivax malaria at presentation, in 10 patients after 17-days of treatment with anti-malaria drug, and in 40 control individuals. Interrelation of lipid profile with other parameters including parasitemia level, platelet count, hemoglobin and WBC counts were analysed. RESULTS: In patients with malaria, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c concentrations were significantly lower than those of control subjects. None of lipid profile showed any correlation with the parasitemia level. After treatment, HDL-c was significantly elevated. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lipid profile, especially decreased of HDL-c, may be a valuable information in the diagnosis of the malaria.
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Parasitemia ; Plasma ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Platelet Count ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Alteration in plasma lipid levels during malaria attacks was studied to evaluate the diagnstic values in vivax malaria. METHODS: The plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) were analyzed and compared in 32 patients with vivax malaria at presentation, in 10 patients after 17-days of treatment with anti-malaria drug, and in 40 control individuals. Interrelation of lipid profile with other parameters including parasitemia level, platelet count, hemoglobin and WBC counts were analysed. RESULTS: In patients with malaria, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c concentrations were significantly lower than those of control subjects. None of lipid profile showed any correlation with the parasitemia level. After treatment, HDL-c was significantly elevated. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lipid profile, especially decreased of HDL-c, may be a valuable information in the diagnosis of the malaria.
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Parasitemia ; Plasma ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Platelet Count ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of malaria has been usually made using microscopic examination of Wright stained thin blood films in Korean army. This method is labor-intensive, time consuming and requires the microscopic expertise. Therefore, the alternative techniques, rapid diagnostic test, have been sought for use in Korean army. We performed a comparison of the OptiMAL test with GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I, II to assess its sensitivity and specificity of Plasmodium vivax malaria. METHODS: Blood specimen were collected from 51 patients who were presented and initially diagnosed for P. vivax by the microscopy of blood smears and from 30 control patients without malaria infection at the Capital Armed Forces General Hospital (CAFGH) between October 2000 and February 2001. Among the 51 patients, we also collected 24 samples from 24 patients at 2 or 3 days after therapy. The OptiMAL test and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I, II were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions on all samples respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the blood film, sensitivities and specificities of the OptiMAL test, GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II were 94.1~100% (29/29), 80.4~83.3%, 96.1~96.7% respectively. One case was interpreted as 'undetermined' by OptiMAL test. In 24 patients during therapy, the sensitivities of the OptiMAL test, GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II on 8 specimens with mean 120/microliter parasitemia and 16 specimens with negative parasitemia were 75~43.8%, 87.5~81.3%, 100~100% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of the GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid I were not satisfactory, but the sensitivity and specificity of the OptiMAL test and GENEDIA Malaria (P. vivax) Ab Rapid II were relatively high and useful diagnostic tests for diagnosis of P. vivax in areas like the militaries where laboratory facilities are poor or non-existent.
Arm ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Malaria* ; Malaria, Vivax ; Microscopy ; Military Personnel* ; Parasitemia ; Plasmodium vivax* ; Plasmodium* ; Sensitivity and Specificity