Global economic costs due to vivax malaria and the potential impact of its radical cure: A modelling study

An estimated 14 million cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria were reported from Asia, Central and South America, and the Horn of Africa. The clinical burden of vivax malaria is largely driven by its ability to form dormant liver stages (hypnozoites) that can reactivate to cause recurrent episodes of malaria. Elimination of both the blood and liver stages of the parasites ("radical cure") is required to achieve a sustained clinical response and prevent ongoing transmission of the parasite.

Citation:
Devine A, Battle KE, Meagher N, Howes RE, Dini S, Gething PW, et al. Global economic costs due to vivax malaria and the potential impact of its radical cure: A modelling study. PLoS Med. 2021;18(6).

Keywords:
Plasmodium vivax malaria; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; G6PD screening

Abstract:
An estimated 14 million cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria were reported from Asia, Central and South America, and the Horn of Africa. The clinical burden of vivax malaria is largely driven by its ability to form dormant liver stages (hypnozoites) that can reactivate to cause recurrent episodes of malaria. Elimination of both the blood and liver stages of the parasites ("radical cure") is required to achieve a sustained clinical response and prevent ongoing transmission of the parasite.