Identification of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in the Northern areas (District Malakand) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
الكلمات المفتاحية:
Malarial infection, Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, rural areas, Malakand.الملخص
The current study was designed to investigate the occurrence of malarial infections in the Northern areas (District Malakand) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Malarial parasites were detected in the blood samples of suspected patients of the infection. Out of 210 suspected cases of malaria, 47 (22.38%) were found to be positive for the malarial parasite in blood smear slides. Out of positive cases, 28 (59.57%) were identified as Plasmodium vivax infection and 19 (40.42%) cases with P. falciparum. No case was found having both the malarial parasites. This research work evidenced that P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are steadily becoming more dangerous and deadly in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in general, and particularly in District Malakand. It is therefore highly necessary to take immediate and effective measures to minimize death toll in these areas.
