Abstract |
To assess the frequency of asymptomatic plasmodial infections in young children living in an area of hyperendemicity, a cohort of 200 children in Gabon was investigated longitudinally. Of 660 cases of Plasmodium falciparum infection, 77% were symptomatic at the time they were identified and only 7% were preceded by an asymptomatic phase of >4 days. Sickle cell trait, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and mutation in the promoter region of tumor necrosis factor (TNF(-376A/-238A)) were significantly associated with asymptomatic P. falciparum infection (P=.03, P=.009, and P<.001, respectively). We conclude that true asymptomatic cases of P. falciparum infection are uncommon in young children and that single measurements or measurements made at long time intervals will lead to a strong underestimation of the incidence of malaria.
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Authors | Michel A Missinou, Bertrand Lell, Peter G Kremsner |
Journal | Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
(Clin Infect Dis)
Vol. 36
Issue 9
Pg. 1198-202
(May 01 2003)
ISSN: 1537-6591 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 12715318
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Animals
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Gabon
(epidemiology)
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Malaria, Falciparum
(epidemiology, metabolism, physiopathology)
- Male
- Plasmodium falciparum
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