A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan

Abstract Background Asymptomatic malaria poses a significant challenge to malaria eradication efforts and delays global elimination strategies. Mixed infections are also a major concern, as they frequently relapse, increase the risk of severe malaria, require more accurate diagnosis for appropriate...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Choon Mee Kim, Jun-Won Seo, Da Young Kim, Na Ra Yun, Beomgi Lee, You Mi Lee, Munawir Muhammad, Dong-Min Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Malaria Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05329-2
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849737780513472512
author Choon Mee Kim
Jun-Won Seo
Da Young Kim
Na Ra Yun
Beomgi Lee
You Mi Lee
Munawir Muhammad
Dong-Min Kim
author_facet Choon Mee Kim
Jun-Won Seo
Da Young Kim
Na Ra Yun
Beomgi Lee
You Mi Lee
Munawir Muhammad
Dong-Min Kim
author_sort Choon Mee Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Asymptomatic malaria poses a significant challenge to malaria eradication efforts and delays global elimination strategies. Mixed infections are also a major concern, as they frequently relapse, increase the risk of severe malaria, require more accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment, and contribute to the development of drug resistance. Case presentation A 25-year-old soldier was diagnosed with malaria following deployment in South Sudan. A comprehensive survey identified an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection, confirmed by peripheral blood smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite being discharged after treatment, the patient developed fever and other symptoms one month later. Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed Plasmodium ovale infection based on peripheral blood smears and PCR. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of molecular detection for surveillance and vigilant follow-up in malaria management, particularly among patients with a history of deployment in endemic regions. The detection of P. ovale after treatment for P. falciparum highlights the need for increased awareness and testing for mixed infections to ensure effective malaria control strategies.
format Article
id doaj-art-dbf14cd7cb044778affb17fd334c4559
institution DOAJ
issn 1475-2875
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Malaria Journal
spelling doaj-art-dbf14cd7cb044778affb17fd334c45592025-08-20T03:06:48ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752025-04-012411610.1186/s12936-025-05329-2A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South SudanChoon Mee Kim0Jun-Won Seo1Da Young Kim2Na Ra Yun3Beomgi Lee4You Mi Lee5Munawir Muhammad6Dong-Min Kim7Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityPremedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityPremedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun UniversityAbstract Background Asymptomatic malaria poses a significant challenge to malaria eradication efforts and delays global elimination strategies. Mixed infections are also a major concern, as they frequently relapse, increase the risk of severe malaria, require more accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment, and contribute to the development of drug resistance. Case presentation A 25-year-old soldier was diagnosed with malaria following deployment in South Sudan. A comprehensive survey identified an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection, confirmed by peripheral blood smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite being discharged after treatment, the patient developed fever and other symptoms one month later. Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed Plasmodium ovale infection based on peripheral blood smears and PCR. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of molecular detection for surveillance and vigilant follow-up in malaria management, particularly among patients with a history of deployment in endemic regions. The detection of P. ovale after treatment for P. falciparum highlights the need for increased awareness and testing for mixed infections to ensure effective malaria control strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05329-2MalariaPlasmodium falciparumPlasmodium ovaleAsymptomatic infectionSouth Sudan
spellingShingle Choon Mee Kim
Jun-Won Seo
Da Young Kim
Na Ra Yun
Beomgi Lee
You Mi Lee
Munawir Muhammad
Dong-Min Kim
A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
Malaria Journal
Malaria
Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium ovale
Asymptomatic infection
South Sudan
title A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
title_full A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
title_fullStr A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
title_full_unstemmed A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
title_short A case of an asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic Plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to South Sudan
title_sort case of an asymptomatic plasmodium falciparum infection followed by a symptomatic plasmodium ovale infection in a soldier deployed to south sudan
topic Malaria
Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium ovale
Asymptomatic infection
South Sudan
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05329-2
work_keys_str_mv AT choonmeekim acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT junwonseo acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT dayoungkim acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT narayun acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT beomgilee acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT youmilee acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT munawirmuhammad acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT dongminkim acaseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT choonmeekim caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT junwonseo caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT dayoungkim caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT narayun caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT beomgilee caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT youmilee caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT munawirmuhammad caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan
AT dongminkim caseofanasymptomaticplasmodiumfalciparuminfectionfollowedbyasymptomaticplasmodiumovaleinfectioninasoldierdeployedtosouthsudan