Patterns of <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>and <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria underscore importance of data collection from private health care facilities in India

• Main Authors: Novak Robert J, Gunter James T, Gupta Sangeeta, Regens James L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-10-01
• Series: Malaria Journal
• Online Access: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/8/1/227

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study describes patterns of falciparum and vivax malaria in a private comprehensive-care, multi-specialty hospital in New Delhi from July 2006 to July 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Malarial morbidity by Plasmodium species (<it>Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax</it>, or <it>Plasmodium sp</it>.) was confirmed using microscopy and antigen tests. The influence of seasonal factors and selected patient demographics on morbidity was evaluated. The proportions of malaria cases caused by <it>P. falciparum </it>at the private facility were compared to data from India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) during the same period for the Delhi region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In New Delhi, <it>P. faciparum </it>was the dominant cause of cases requiring treatment in the private hospital during the period examined. The national data reported a smaller proportion of malaria cases caused by <it>P. falciparum </it>in the national capital region than was observed in a private facility within the region. <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>also caused a large proportion of the cases presenting clinically at the private hospital during the summer and monsoon seasons.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The proportion of <it>P. falciparum </it>malaria cases tends to be greatest during the post-monsoon season while the proportion of <it>P. vivax </it>malaria cases tends to be greatest in the monsoon season. Private hospital data demonstrate an under-reporting of malaria case incidences in the data from India's national surveillance programme during the same period for the national capital region.</p>