• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2009

Local malaria transmission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came to an end in 1997. Nevertheless, UAE has been subjected to substantial importation of malaria cases from abroad, concerning both UAE nationals and immigrants from malarious countries with a total number of 2,119 cases in 2007. To evaluate a new DNA extraction technique using nested PCR, blood samples were collected from 132 individuals who presented to Infectious Diseases Department in Rashid Hospital, Dubai, and Central Department of Malaria Control with fever and persistent headache. Giemsa-stained blood films and ELISA test for malaria antibodies were carried out for detection of Plasmodium infection. Plasmodium infections were identified with the genus-specific primer set and species differentiation using nested PCR. A rapid procedure for diagnosis of malaria infections directly from dried blood spots using for the first time DNA extract from FTA Elute cards was evaluated in contrast to extraction techniques using FTA classic cards and rapid boiling technique. Our new simple technique for DNA extraction using FTA Elute cards was very sensitive giving a sensitivity of 100% compared to 94% using FTA classic cards and 62% in the rapid boiling technique. No complex preparation of blood samples was required prior to the amplification. The production cost of DNA isolation in our PCR assay was much less incomparable to that of other DNA extraction protocols. The nested PCR detected plasmodial infection and could differentiate P. falciparum from P. vivax, and also detected the mixed infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 1984

A case of congenital malaria infection has been studied in a 46-day old female Korean infant. Her mother suffered from malaria infection during pregnancy in Uppervolta, Africa, and returned to Korea at the 9th month of gestation for delivery. At 39 days of age, the clinical features characterized by fever, irritability, pallor, jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly were developed. The laboratory data revealed a hemolytic anemia with thronbocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia and increased hepatic enzyme values. A peripheral blood smear demonstrated intraerythrocytic malarial parasites and gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. She was successfully treated with quinine solfate (25mg/kg/day in three doses for 5 days) and trimethoprimejsulfamethoxazole (8mg/kg/day in two doses for 5 days) orally, and repeated blood smear had been negative for malaria. This report also signifies the first description of congenital malaria in Korea imported from Uppervolta in Africa. A brief review of related literature was made.