Time to track all malaria parasites in Nigeria

Abstract

This report seeks to draw attention to marginalized human malaria parasite species. There is a need to elucidate their various contribution to malaria burden in other to advise policy and control strategy. Of the six Plasmodium species known to cause human malaria, two are the central focus of research and control; with robust literature available on both. The other four seem neglected, have lean attention and sparse literature.Venous blood was collected in specimen tubes with ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Edta) tubes and used for Rapid Diagnostic Test, Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction test. Hospital attendance records were accessed on a monthly basis and collated. Of the four Plasmodium species encountered Plasmodium falciparum peaked with 95.9%, Plasmodium vivax (2.9%), Plasmodium ovale (1.0%) and Plasmodium malariae (0.2%). The presence of P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae calls for further investigation to clarify their status. To accelerate to zero and ably prevent malaria resurgence, marginal human malaria parasites should be tracked and treated.