Publication: The duration of Plasmodium falciparum infections
Issued Date
2014
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Malar Journal. Vol.13, (2014), 500
Suggested Citation
Ashley, Elizabeth A, White, Nicholas J The duration of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Malar Journal. Vol.13, (2014), 500. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/2904
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
The duration of Plasmodium falciparum infections
Author(s)
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale are often considered the malaria parasites best adapted to long-term
survival in the human host because of their latent exo-erythrocytic forms. The prevailing opinion until the middle of
the last century was that the maximum duration of Plasmodium falciparum infections was less than two years. Case
reports and series investigating blood donors following accidental malaria infection of blood transfusion recipients
and other sporadic malaria cases in non-endemic countries have shown clearly that asymptomatic P. falciparum
infections may persist for up to a decade or longer (maximum confirmed 13 years). Current policies in malaria-free
countries of excluding blood donors who have lived in malarious areas are justified. Vigilance for longer than three
years after declaring elimination in an area may be needed.