Challenging diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale malaria in a Colombian traveler: the importance of including P. ovale wallikeri in molecular screening

Abstract

This study reports a challenging diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale malaria in a Colombian citizen returning from Cameroon. Initial microscopy screenings conducted at two private hospitals yielded conflicting results, with the first showing negative smears and the second diagnosing P. vivax. Subsequent microscopy examinations at two government laboratories identified P. ovale, although the routine species-specific PCR strategy was negative. PCR confirmation was finally obtained when P. ovale wallikeri primers were used. Although P. ovale is not frequently found in Colombia, there is a clear need to include both P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri in the molecular diagnostic strategy. Such need stems primarily from their extended latency period, which affects travelers, the increasing number of African migrants, and the importance of accurately mapping the distribution of Plasmodium species in Colombia.