BackgroundTrenggalek district is a hypoendemic malaria area with mainly imported cases brought by migrant workers from islands outside Java. During malaria surveillance in 2015, no malaria cases were found microscopically, but some cases were positive by PCR. Therefore, a study was conducted to prove that local malaria transmission still occur.MethodsThe adult villagers were invited to the house of the head of this village to be screened for malaria using aseptic venipuncture of 1 mL blood upon informed consent. Thin and thick blood films as well as blood spots on filter paper were made for each subject. The blood films were stained with Giemsa and the blood spots were used to extract DNA for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to determine the malaria infection. In addition, the history of malaria infection and travel to malaria endemic areas were recorded. Entomologic survey to detect the existence of anopheline vector was also conducted.ResultsOf the total 64 subjects that participated in the survey, no malaria parasites were found through microscopic examination of the blood films. The PCR analysis found six positive cases (two Plasmodium falciparum, one Plasmodium vivax and two mixed infection of both species), and two of them had no history of malaria and have never travelled to malaria endemic area. Entomologic survey using human bait trap detected the existence of Anopheles indefinitus that was found to be positive for P. vivax by PCR.ConclusionsThe results indicated that although we did not find any microscopically slide positive cases, six PCR positive subjects were found. The fact that 2 of the 6 malaria positive subjects have never travelled to malaria endemic area together with the existence of the vector confirm the occurence of local transmission of malaria in the area.

Background Each part of H. annuus plants is traditionally used as medicinal remedies for several diseases, including malaria. Antimalarial activity of the leaf and the seed has already been observed; however, there is no report about antimalarial activity of the other parts of H. annuus plants. In this study, we assess in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of each part of the plants and its mechanism as antimalarial agent against inhibition of heme detoxification. Objective To investigate the antimalarial activity of various parts of H. annuus. Methods Various parts of the H. annuus plant were tested for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain (chloroquine-sensitive), in vivo antimalarial activity against P. berghei using Peters' 4-day suppressive test in BALB/c mice, curative and prophylaxis assay, and inhibition of heme detoxification by evaluating β-hematin level. Results Ethanol extract of the roots showed the highest antimalarial activity, followed by ethanol extract of leaves, with IC50 values of 2.3 ± 1.4 and 4.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL, respectively and the percentage inhibition of P. berghei of 63.6 ± 8.0 and 59.3 ± 13.2 at a dose of 100 mg/kg, respectively. Ethanol extract of roots produced an ED50 value of 10.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg in the curative test and showed an inhibition of 79.2% at a dose of 400 mg/kg in the prophylactic assay. In inhibition of heme detoxification assay, root and leaf ethanol extracts yielded a lower IC50 value than positive (chloroquine) control with a value of 0.4 ± 0.0 and 0.5 ± 0.0 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion There were promising results of the ethanol extracts of root of H. annuus as a new source for the development of a new plant-based antimalarial agent.

BACKGROUND: South Kalimantan is one of province in Indonesia which has endemic area, mainly in the villages at forest area. Understanding the risk factors which can increase the risk of malaria in individuals at forest area will enable more effective use for controlling the disease. The identification of risk factors will provide information about local malaria epidemiology and usefull for making appropriate and effective malaria eradication program policies in this area. AIM: To know the risk factors of malaria prevalence in endemic forest areas in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 107 adult people who lived in Batu Bulan Village and Batu Paha Village, South Kalimantan. Blood samples for malaria microscopy and rapid diagnostic test is taken from cubital vein. Household factors and demographic data were obtained. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed to analyze the factors associated with malaria prevalence in South Kalimantan. This research didn’t do vector survey, only on the prevalence of malaria and risk factor in human and environment. RESULTS: The prevalence of malaria based RDT examination was 35.5% with 23.68% Plasmodium falciparum, 21.05% Plasmodium vivax, and 55.27% mixed infection. The prevalence malaria based on microscopic examination was 17.75% with 47.36% P. falciparum, 26.32% P. vivax, and 26.32% mix infection. Demographic factors influencing the prevalence of malaria were aged below 25-years-old (p = 0.01, 95% CI, OR = 2.289), villages in Batu Paha (p = 0.048, 95% CI, OR = 3.55), and occupation as a forest worker (p = 0.022, 95% CI, OR = 6.38). House factors that influence the prevalence of malaria were the condition of the walls that are open or not tight (p = 0.048 95% CI, OR = 5.205), the roof is made of plastic (p = 0.015 95% CI, OR = 2.831), and the presence of animal cage around the house (p = 0.015 95% CI, OR = 6.292). CONCLUSIONS: Malaria incidence remains occurs with high prevalence in the pupolation in remote forest areas.

Malaria remains a major public health problem in most tropical and subtropical countries, including Indonesia. Severe malaria has a high mortality rate despite treatment with effective antimalarial drug. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa (TNF-α) is raised in severe malaria.  In South Kalimantan, the kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f) Bedd) has few uses for treat fever and infectious diseases.  It contains bioactive substances, such as flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids which have been reported to exert multiple biological effects, including anti-inflammatory action.   The aim of this study is to find out the potential of kelakai extract (KE) againts TNF-α level in BALB/c mice infected P. berghei ANKA. The research is true experimental study, Posttest-only with Control Group Design. Teatment groups were devided into 4 groups treated with 10 mg/kg BW, 100 mg/kg BW of KE, and 36,4 mg/kg BW artesunate orally (positive control), 3 hours post infection and when parasitemia reached 15-20%. Negative controls were without KE treatment and P. berghei infection. Treatment were given for four days. Blood was collected 24 hours after the last treatment. Plasma TNF-α level were measured by sandwich ELISA. Data was analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis Test, confidence rate at 95%.  There was a significant different between treatment groups, where p = 0,000 (p < 0,05). KE potential to inhibit TNF-α production in Pb3K100A- group (p = 0,047).Keywords : Malaria,  TNF-α, Stenochlaena palustris Abstrak:  Malaria masih menjadi masalah kesehatan utama pada sebagian besar negara tropis dan subtropis, termasuk Indonesia.  Malaria berat menyebabkan angka kematian yang tinggi meskipun telah mendapat obat anti malaria yang efektif.  Sitokin pro-inflamasi seperti TNF-α meningkat pada malaria berat.  Di Kalimantan Selatan, tanaman kelakai digunakan untuk mengobati demam dan penyakit infeksi.  Kelakai mengandung senyawa-senyawa bioaktif  antara lain flavonoid, steroid, dan alkaloid yang dilaporkan banyak memiliki efek biologis, termasuk aktivitas anti-inflamasi.  Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui potensi ekstrak kelakai terhadap kadar TNF-α pada mencit BALB/c yang diinfeksi P. berghei ANKA.  Penelitian ini merupakan studi eksperimental murni dengan Posttest-only with Control Group Design.  Kelompok perlakuan dibagi menjadi 4 yaitu kelompok yang mendapat ekstrak kelakai per oral 10 mg/kg BB, 100 mg/kg BB, artesunat 36,4 mg/kg BB (kontrol positif) 3 jam setelah infeksi dan pada saat parasitemia mencapai 15-20%.  Kontrol negatif  tidak mendapat ekstrak kelakai, artesunat, dan infeksi parasit.  Perlakuan diberikan selama 4 hari.  Sampel darah diambil 24 jam setelah perlakuan terakhir.  Kadar TNF-α diukur dengan ELISA metode sandwich.  Data dianalisa dengan Uji Kruskal-Wallis, dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95%.  Terdapat perbedaan bermakna antar kelompok perlakuan, nilai p = 0,000 (p<0,05).  Ekstrak kelakai berpotensi menghambat produksi TNF-α pada kelompok Pb3K100A- (p = 0,047). Kata-kata kunci : Malaria, TNF-α, Stenochlaena palustris

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of goat bile in BALB/c mice since some Indonesian people consume raw goat gallbladder to treat malaria and increase stamina. Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity test was done in six groups of BALB/c mice using 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, and 6.75% of goat bile and negative control. The death of mice was observed within 14 days. In the subacute toxicity test, the body weight and hematology parameters on day 0 and day 4 post-treatment were evaluated. The mice were closely observed for 28 days before plasma collection for the blood biochemistry evaluation. Results: Mild diarrhea was observed in acute and subacute toxicity tests. No death of mice was observed in acute test. Goat bile did not inhibit the increase of the body weight of mice. A slight reduction in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in mice treated with 25% and 50% goat bile, however, remained normal in mice treated with 100% goat bile. The red and white blood cell count were not affected. Liver and kidney functions were not affected by goat bile treatment as revealed by the plasma level of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine, which remained in the normal range. Conclusion: Goat bile treatment in BALB/c mice caused mild toxicity in mice. Hydrophobic bile acids may cause the toxicity of goat bile in mice; therefore, it is recommended that goat bile consumption not to be taken oftenly to avoid its harmful effect.