Molecular investigation of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. in Sierra Leone: recommendations on diagnostic methods for malaria control in high-epidemic regions – a nationally representative cross-sectional epidemiological survey
This study highlights the importance of molecular diagnosis in malaria-endemic areas for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. The high prevalence of malaria infection among individuals aged ≥20 years, together with the high prevalence of asymptomatic, low-density infections, indicates a sustained potential transmission reservoir. Additionally, urban and rural malaria prevalence showed no statistically significant difference, a finding that underscores the need for greater attention to urban malaria.
Authors
- Lihua Hou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3644-2612)
- Wei Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5805-2469)
- Xiaoqiao Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5783-7790)
- Foday Sahr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9816-4502)
- Minghao Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1185-4768)
- Shipo Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8083-247X)
- Shuchao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9782-9656)
- Yuee Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9114-6811)
- Stephen Sevalie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2267-253X)
- Mohamed Jalloh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9048-2952)
- Zhiqiang Mi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7491-5073)
- Busen Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9041-1919)
- Jinlong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9427-2645)
- Xiaohong Song
- Yubiao Xie
- Zhenghao Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3117-0638)
- Peng Lv (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5719-7997)
- Stephanie Yang
- Mengyao Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3932-3160)
Institutions
- University of Sierra Leone (SL)
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Institute of Microbiology (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SL)
- Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Global Health
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020287
- Primary Topic
- Malaria Research and Control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China