Identification and determination of malaria infection in asymptomatic person in endemic Area of Sistan & Balouchistan Province, Iran

Abstract The presence of symptomless malaria infection in endemic areas and misdiagnosis can lead to failure in malaria eradication strategies. The present study was performed to assessment the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in the Saravan and Suran district, an endemic area of malaria infection in Sistan and Baluchistan Province (2019–2020) using microscopic methods, ELISA, RDT test, multiplex nested-PCR and LAMP. The samples (n = 525) were collected from asymptomatic person of Saravan and Suran district to assessment malaria infection by using microscopic, ELISA, RDT test, multiplex nested-PCR and LAMP techniques. The microscopic and RDT tests were negative for malaria infection. Based on the ELISA test, 2 and 26 out of 525 samples was positive for P. falciparum and P.vivax antigens, respectively. The multiplex nested-PCR and LAMP techniques could detect only 2 and 3 cases of P. vivax, respectively. To improve the sensitivity, specificity and high reliability of malaria removal, especially in endemic areas, all sensitive tools such as microscopy, RDT, LAMP and nested PCR should be used.