Molecular detection of Plasmodium Species in Four Southern States of Nigeria

This study investigated the Plasmodium species polymorphism in the four Southern states of Nigeria (Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Delta). Eight hundred and forty six (846) subjects participated in the study. Malaria parasites identification was carried out using standard parasitological techniques. Genotyping of Plasmodium species was carried out by Polymerase Chain reaction. Species polymorphism was determined by nested PCR. Results showed that the prevalences of malaria infection by states were 78.1 %, 68.8 %, 62.8 %, and 58.8 % in Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, and Delta respectively. Children below the age of 5years were more susceptible to infection (Pless than 0.01). Species polymorphism were Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) (39.2 %), Plasmodium vivax (Pv) (8.8 %), and Plasmodium ovale (Po) (17.0 %). In the four Southern states, Bayelsa had the highest prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum (62.5 %), followed by Delta (47.4 %), Rivers (40.5 %) and the least prevalence from Edo state, also Edo state had the highest prevalence of Plasmodium vivax (11.3 %) followed by Delta 9.3 %, Rivers 9.2 % while Bayelsa had the least prevalence 0 %, also Bayelsa had the highest prevalence of Plasmodium ovale (22.5 %) followed by Rivers 18.3 %, Delta 15.5 % and Edo state had the least prevalence. Co-infection existed between Pf and Pv was (7.1 %) Pf and Po was (15.4 %), Pv and Po was (6.0 %). Multiple infection of the species Pf, Pv and Po was (6.0 %). This calls for urgent intervention to maintain drug policy in treatment of each of the Plasmodium species not only falciparum.