[Gametocyte carriage in asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in Haiti (2010-2013)]. / Portage de gamétocytes de Plasmodium falciparum en Haïti en 2010-2013.

A survey conducted from May 2010 to October 2013 in five from ten departments of Haiti among 5,342 persons aged from 1 to 107 years showed a gametocytic rate = 3.2%. However, it varies greatly from one Department to another, ranging from 0.5% in Grande Anse Department to 5.9% in Southeast Department. Malaria is present in Haiti in heterogeneous coastal foci. Gametocytes occur at all ages, but two times most often in male under 20 years. Entomological studies in Haiti are needed to better characterize the relationships between man and the vector Anopheles albimanus, adapting the fight more effectively.

[Epidemiological characteristics of malaria in the village of Corail, Grand'Anse, Haiti]. / Caractéristiques épidémiologiques du paludisme dans la commune de Corail, Grande Anse, Haïti.

Malaria is considered to be a major problem of public health in Haiti. However the impact of Plasmodium falciparum on health is poorly known in this country. The objective of this study is to verify the incidence of malaria as the cause of hospital consultation and to evaluate the rate of P. falciparum gametocytes carriage among the population living in a municipality within the Department of Grand'Anse where the prevalence of malaria is considered one of the strongest in Haiti. Analysis of hospital statistics of Corail (Grand'Anse) showed that only 17.4% of consultations of patients presenting with fever are due to microscopically confirmed malaria. The fraction of the population most affected is that of adults aged 15-39 years (55% of cases). Children under five represent only 11% of the cases. A community survey showed the rarity of the carriage of gametocytes in asymptomatic persons (0.9%). In Haiti, the epidemiological characteristics of malaria must have specified and documented field studies in order to adapt a strategy for fighting against this parasitic disease with greater efficiency.

[Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum during the rainy season (June-December) in the southeast district of Haiti]. / Prévalence de Plasmodium falciparum pendant la saison humide (juin-décembre) dans le département du Sud-Est, Haïti

This malaria prevalence survey was conducted in Haiti from June through November 2010. The Plasmodium falciparum rate was assessed in 16 municipalities and villages of the southeast district, by examination of thick films from a randomly drawn population sample. The study included 2,126 people aged one to 90 years. P. falciparum was detected among 201 non-febrile subjects. This district, with a P. falciparum rate of 9.5%, is in a low endemic area for malaria. Nonetheless, the infection rates varied considerably from one area to another. Along the coast, the P. falciparum rate ranged from 0 to 34.5%, in four separate categories: four highly infected (mean P. falciparum rate = 21.4% and mean gametocyte rate = 15.3%), four moderately infected (mean P. falciparum rate = 6.1% and gametocyte rate = 5.9%), five slightly infected (mean P. falciparum rate = 3.3% and gametocyte rate = 1.1%) and one uninfected in the interior. No cases of infection were detected in two areas located at an altitude above 600 m. The trophozoite and gametocyte rates varied little as a function of age and thus indicated a low level of protection within the population. This study shows the persistence of endemic malaria at highly variable prevalence levels in this district of Haiti. The development of this region that could be highly desirable to tourists requires the establishment of an appropriate disease control program.