Occurrence of different Plasmodium species in malaria patients in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation into the species of Plasmodium parasites in malaria endemic area of Owerri was carried out between January and March 2005. Five hundred blood samples from two public and one private health institutions were examined using the conventional microscopic examination of Giemsa and Leishman stained smears. Results showed that the prevalence rate of malaria parasite in the area was 62.0%. Only two species namely Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax were identified with the former predominating (99.2%).

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 409-411