%0 Journal Article
%A Randriamiarinjatovo, Dina Ny Aina Liantsoa Randriamiarinjatovo
%A Rabearivony, Anjara Nomena Ny Zo Rabearivony
%A Abou-Bacar, Ahmed Abou-Bacar
%A Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia
%D 2026
%J African Journal of Parasitology, Mycology and Entomology

%@ 1987-1473

%V 3
%N 2
%P 12

%T Sympatric Occurrence of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri in Archived Samples in Saharevo in the Eastern Foothill Area of Madagascar
%M doi:10.35995/ajpme03020012
%U https://ajpme.jams.pub/article/3/2/296
%X Introduction: Four Plasmodium species that infect humans coexist on the island of Madagascar. P. falciparum and P. vivax are predominant while P. malariae and P. ovale remain rare. Recently, two subspecies of P. ovale were discovered through molecular analysis: P. o curtisi and P. o. wallikeri. Thus, we undertook a study that aims to assess P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri infection in archived blood samples using nested PCR. Methods: Whole blood samples collected from patients with suspected malaria in Saharevo (eastern foothill area) from 1996 to 2005 were analyzed. These samples were stored at −20 °C until use. Microscopy examination of these samples had already been performed previously. Results: Of the 557 examined samples, 438 malaria infections were confirmed using nested PCR [78.6%, 95%CI: 74.9–81.9%]. Among these malaria cases, twelve patients presented singularly with P. ovale [2.7%, 95%CI: 1.5–4.9%] including six P. o. curtisi, five P. o. wallikeri, and one co-infection of P. o. curtisi + P. o. wallikeri. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular evidence of the sympatric occurrence of P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri in Madagascar. Sequencing provided definitive genotyping, confirming the nested PCR findings. Therefore, further studies assessing the prevalence of the rare species such as P. ovale are needed to better understand the distribution of this species to guide malaria control strategies.