A study of malaria and intestinal parasites among the Nadëb-Maku Indians of Amazonas State-Brazil

Abstract

In March, 1983, a falciparum malaria outbreak occurred in the Nadëb-Maku Indian tribe in Amazonas State, Brazil. Seventy six blood samples were obtained and examined for hematozoa with 27 (35.5%) positive for Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria infections were treated with Fansidar® (Pyrimethamine plus sulfadoxine), mefloquine and/or primaquine. The only Anopheles species collected in the Indian tribe during the outbreak period was Anopheles mediopunctatus. All 49 stool samples obtained from the Indians were positive when examined for intestinal parasites.