Resumen

RAMOS, José M et al. Study of the prevalence of Plasmodium infections by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among patients with severe anaemia treated at a rural hospital in southern Ethiopia. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2016, vol.56, n.1, pp.75-77. ISSN 1690-4648.

This study was conducted to determine the current burden of Plasmodium infections among patients with severe anaemia attending a rural hospital in southern Ethiopia. A total of 111 patients with severe anaemia (hemoglobin < 7 mg/dL) were included. The Plasmodium species causing the infection were identified using a Semi-nested Multiplex PCR. The mean age of the study population was 15 years and 26 (23.4%) individuals tested positive for malaria. Of these, 18 (16.2%) were infected by P. falciparum, 4 (3.6%) by P. vivax, and 4 by P. ovale. No significant associations between the species of Plasmodium and the sex of the patient or the haemoglobin values were found. This study showed that Plasmodium infections cause severe anaemia in one in four cases.

Palabras clave : Anaemia; Plasmodium; Malaria; PCR.