Abstract
Introduction: Livestock is the potential source of blood feed for Anopheles mosquitoes. Infectious Anopheles bites enter h-Plasmodium sporozoites in the body of livestock. In the erythrocytic phase, the parasite produces several enzymes, one of which is parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH). The parasite needs this enzyme to help the glycolysis process of pyruvate into lactic acid.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the presence of pLDH in blood specimens of Etawa crossbreed goats was explored. Samples of the stored biological material in the form of dried blood in Whatman™ 1001 125 filter paper included 97 specimens. PLDH was detected using the PCR method.
Results: One sample previously reported to contain P. falciparum trophozoites under microscopic examination showed positive results in PfLDH testing.
Conclusion: The parasite of P. falciparum was found capable of living up to the erythrocytic phase and forming PfLDH in the Etawa crossbreeds.