Situation of Asymptomatic Malaria among Iranian Native and Afghan and Pakistani Immigrants in a Malarious Area under the National Malaria Elimination Program of Iran

This study was designed to detect, if there are asymptomatic malaria infections amongst native and immigrant population from Afghanistan and Pakistan countries in Sistan & Baluchistan Province of Iran, where is under the national malaria elimination program.

This cross-sectional study was performed among native individuals and resident immigrants in the southeastern province of Sistan & Baluchistan from May 2016 to Jul 2017. A total of 271 individuals were considered in this cross- sectional study based on microscopical method, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and PCR techniques. Out of 271 native and immigrant participants 140 (52%) and 131 (48%) were male and female, respectively.

None of the prepared samples was diagnosed as malaria positive case when was considered via above mentioned three techniques.

Neither native nor immigrant individuals had asymptomatic malaria, hinting that national malaria elimination program is performed according to planned schedule in the studied areas