Case report: Case series of human Plasmodium knowlesi infection on the Southern border of Thailand

• Main Authors: Sutharinee Ngernna, Nattawan Rachaphaew, Suwich Thammapalo, Pathomporn Prikchoo, Opart Kaewnah, Khajohnpong Manopwisedjaroen, Kanit Phumchuea, Chayanut Suansomjit, Wanlapa Roobsoong, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Liwang Cui, Wang Nguitragool
• Other Authors: Thailand Ministry of Public Health
• Format: Article
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Immunology and Microbiology; Medicine
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/51134
• Institution: Mahidol University

Copyright © 2019 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Although human infections of Plasmodium knowlesi have been found throughout Southeast Asia, most cases originated from Malaysian Borneo. In Thailand, P. knowlesi malaria was considered extremelyrare. However, during October 2017-September 2018, there was a surge in the number of reported P. knowlesi cases. Here, aseries ofsix cases of P. knowlesi malaria found during this period in Songkhla and Narathiwat provinces of southern Thailand are presented. All cases were confirmedby polymerase chain reaction. The unprecedented case number inthe affected area is a warning sign of an increasing P. knowlesi burden in the south of Thailand.