Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 12 1 2017 02 27 90 100 Sakineh PIRAHMADI Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Sedigheh ZAKERI Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Ahmad RAEISI National Programme Manager for Malaria Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran 2017 02 27 2017 02 27 Background: Asymptomatic malaria infection provides a reservoir of parasites, causing the persistence of malaria transmission. It accounts an important challenge for successful management of the control, elimination, and eradication programmes in any malaria-endemic region. This investigation was designed to assess the presence and the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in Iranshahr district of Sistan and Baluchistan Province (2013-2014), with a considerable population movement, during the malaria elimination phase in Iran. Methods: Finger-prick blood samples were collected from symptomless (n=250) and febrile (n=50) individuals residing in Iranshahr district, easthern Iran (Hoodian, Mand, Chah-e Giji, Jolgehashem, Esfand, Dalgan and Chahshour) during Jan 2013 to Dec 2014, and Plasmodium infections were detected using light microscopic and highly sensitive nested-PCR techniques. Results: Thick and thin Giemsa-stained blood smears were negative for Plasmodium parasites. In addition, based on nested-PCR analysis, no P. vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae parasites were detected among the studied individuals. Conclusion: Investigation the absence of asymptomatic carriers in Iranshahr district was illustrated and achieving malaria elimination in this area is feasible in a near future. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/1522 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/1522/677