Spatial distribution of Plasmodium knowlesi cases and their vectors in Johor, Malaysia: In light of human malaria elimination

Pramasivan, Sandthya and Ngui, Romano and Jeyaprakasam, Nantha Kumar and Liew, Jonathan Wee Kent and Low, Van Lun and Hassan, Norzihan Mohamed and Sulaiman, Wan Yusoff Wan and Jaraee, Ropiah and Rahman, Roslinda Abdul and Jelip, Jenarun and Vythilingam, Indra (2021) Spatial distribution of Plasmodium knowlesi cases and their vectors in Johor, Malaysia: In light of human malaria elimination. Malaria Journal, 20 (1). ISSN 1475-2875, DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03963-0.

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite infection, increases as Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections decrease in Johor, Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the distribution of vectors involved in knowlesi malaria transmission in Johor. This finding is vital in estimating hotspot areas for targeted control strategies. Methods Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from the location where P. knowlesi cases were reported. Cases of knowlesi malaria from 2011 to 2019 in Johor were analyzed. Internal transcribed spacers 2 (ITS2) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes were used to identify the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles mosquitoes. In addition, spatial analysis was carried out on the knowlesi cases and vectors in Johor. Results One hundred and eighty-nine cases of P. knowlesi were reported in Johor over 10 years. Young adults between the ages of 20-39 years comprised 65% of the cases. Most infected individuals were involved in agriculture and army-related occupations (22% and 32%, respectively). Four hundred and eighteen Leucosphyrus Group Anopheles mosquitoes were captured during the study. Anopheles introlatus was the predominant species, followed by Anopheles latens. Spatial analysis by Kriging interpolation found that hotspot regions of P. knowlesi overlapped or were close to the areas where An. introlatus and An. latens were found. A significantly high number of vectors and P. knowlesi cases were found near the road within 0-5 km. Conclusions This study describes the distribution of P. knowlesi cases and Anopheles species in malaria-endemic transmission areas in Johor. Geospatial analysis is a valuable tool for studying the relationship between vectors and P. knowlesi cases. This study further supports that the Leucosphyrus Group of mosquitoes might be involved in transmitting knowlesi malaria cases in Johor. These findings may provide initial evidence to prioritize diseases and vector surveillance.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS), LRGS[1/2018/UM/01/1/3]
Uncontrolled Keywords: Knowlesi malaria;Anopheles;GIS;COI;ITS2;Spatial distribution;Johor;Malaysia;Plasmodium knowlesi; Leucosphyrus
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
R Medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RB Pathology > Theories of disease. Etiology. Pathogenesis
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2022 02:55
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2022 02:55
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/34457

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item