Patterns of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria underscore importance of data collection from private health care facilities in India

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>This study describes patterns of falciparum and vivax malaria in a private comprehensive-care, multi-specialty hospital in New Delhi from July 2006 to July 2008.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>Malarial morbidity by Plasmodium species (<jats:italic>Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax</jats:italic>, or <jats:italic>Plasmodium sp</jats:italic>.) was confirmed using microscopy and antigen tests. The influence of seasonal factors and selected patient demographics on morbidity was evaluated. The proportions of malaria cases caused by <jats:italic>P. falciparum</jats:italic> at the private facility were compared to data from India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) during the same period for the Delhi region.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>In New Delhi, <jats:italic>P. faciparum</jats:italic> was the dominant cause of cases requiring treatment in the private hospital during the period examined. The national data reported a smaller proportion of malaria cases caused by <jats:italic>P. falciparum</jats:italic> in the national capital region than was observed in a private facility within the region. <jats:italic>Plasmodium vivax</jats:italic> also caused a large proportion of the cases presenting clinically at the private hospital during the summer and monsoon seasons.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>The proportion of <jats:italic>P. falciparum</jats:italic> malaria cases tends to be greatest during the post-monsoon season while the proportion of <jats:italic>P. vivax</jats:italic> malaria cases tends to be greatest in the monsoon season. Private hospital data demonstrate an under-reporting of malaria case incidences in the data from India's national surveillance programme during the same period for the national capital region.</jats:p> </jats:sec>