Population dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum in an unstable malaria area of eastern Sudan

Parasitology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. BABIKER ◽  
A. A. ABDEL-MUHSIN ◽  
A. HAMAD ◽  
M. J. MACKINNON ◽  
W. G. HILL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Large Repertoire ◽  
Eastern Sudan

The Plasmodium falciparum population in Asar village, eastern Sudan, where malaria transmission is markedly seasonal, was monitored monthly over a period of 15 months. A cohort of infected patients was treated and then followed monthly throughout the dry season until the next transmission season. Parasitaemia detected by microscopy among the cohort reduced dramatically following treatment, but remained sporadic during the dry season, and reappeared following the onset of the next wet season. However between 40 and 50% of the cohort retained a persisting parasitaemia detectable by PCR throughout the dry season. These parasites were genetically complex, consisting of multiple clones with a large repertoire of alleles of the studied genes. While the number of clones per host dropped significantly following treatment of acute cases during the transmission season, drug treated people nevertheless maintained an average of one clone throughout the dry season. Allele frequencies of MSP-1, MSP-2 and GLURP showed slight, statistically insignificant, fluctuations between the dry and wet seasons. A higher frequency of inbreeding was estimated among the parasites that survived the dry season compared to the wet season.

scholarly journals Impact of an Irrigation Dam on the Transmission and Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in a Seasonal Malaria Transmission Area of Northern Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Kyei-Baafour ◽  
Bernard Tornyigah ◽  
Benjamin Buade ◽  
Langbong Bimi ◽  
Abraham R. Oduro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Parasite Density ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Transmission Area ◽  
Dam Site

Water bodies such as dams are known to alter the local transmission patterns of a number of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted by insects and other arthropod vectors. The impact of an irrigation dam on submicroscopic asexual parasite carriage in individuals living in a seasonal malaria transmission area of northern Ghana was investigated. A total of 288 archived DNA samples from two cross-sectional surveys in two communities in the Bongo District of Northern Ghana were analysed. Parasite density was determined by light microscopy and PCR, and parasite diversity was assessed by genotyping of the polymorphic Plasmodium falciparum msp2 block-3 region. Submicroscopic parasitaemia was estimated as the proportional difference between positive samples identified by PCR and microscopy. Dry season submicroscopic parasite prevalence was significantly higher (71.0%, p=0.013) at the dam site compared with the nondam site (49.2%). Similarly, wet season submicroscopic parasite prevalence was significantly higher at the dam site (54.5%, p=0.008) compared with the nondam site (33.0%). There was no difference in parasite density between sites in the dry season (p=0.90) and in the wet season (p=0.85). Multiplicity of infection (MOI) based on PCR data was significantly higher at the dam site compared with the nondam site during the dry season (p<0.0001) but similar between sites during the wet season. MOI at the nondam site was significantly higher in the wet season than in the dry season (2.49, 1.26, p<0.0001) but similar between seasons at the dam site. Multivariate analysis showed higher odds of carrying submicroscopic parasites at the dam site in both dry season (OR = 7.46, 95% CI = 3.07–18.15) and in wet season (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.04–2.86). The study findings suggest that large water bodies impact year-round carriage of submicroscopic parasites and sustain Plasmodium transmission.

scholarly journals Plasmodium falciparum increases its investment in gametocytes in the wet season in asymptomatic individuals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colins O. Oduma ◽  
Sidney Ogolla ◽  
Harrysone Atieli ◽  
Bartholomew N. Ondigo ◽  
Ming-Chieh Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Gametocyte Carriage ◽  
Vector Abundance ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

AbstractIn many regions, malaria transmission is seasonal, but it is not well understood whether P. falciparum modulates its investment in transmission in response to seasonal vector abundance. In two sites in western Kenya (Chulaimbo and Homa Bay), we sampled 1116 asymptomatic individuals in the wet season, when vectors are abundant, and 1743 in the dry season. We screened for P. falciparum by qPCR, and gametocytes by pfs25 RT-qPCR. Parasite prevalence in Chulaimbo and Homa Bay was 27.1% and 9.4% in the dry season, and 48.2% and 7.8% in the wet season respectively. Mean parasite densities did not differ between seasons (P=0.562). A contrasting pattern of gametocyte carriage was observed. In the wet season, fewer infections harbored gametocytes (22.3% vs. 33.8%, P=0.009), but densities were 3-fold higher (P<0.001). Thus, in the wet season, among gametocyte positive individuals, higher proportion of all parasites were gametocytes, reflecting an increased investment in transmission.

Overlapping antigenic repertoires of variant antigens expressed on the surface of erythrocytes infected by Plasmodium falciparum

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. GIHA ◽  
T. STAALSOE ◽  
D. DODOO ◽  
I. M. ELHASSAN ◽  
C. ROPER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Clonal Variation ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane Protein ◽  
Degree Of Overlap ◽  
Eastern Sudan

Antibodies against variable antigens expressed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes are believed to be important for protection against malaria. A target for these antibodies is the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1, PfEMP1, which is encoded by around 50 var genes and undergoes clonal variation. Using agglutination and mixed agglutination tests and flow cytometry to analyse the recognition of variant antigens on parasitized erythrocytes by plasma antibodies from individuals living in Daraweesh in eastern Sudan, an area of seasonal and unstable malaria transmission, we show that these antibodies recognize different variant antigens expressed by parasites of different genotype. Comparing the levels and acquisition of antibody to variant antigens in pairs of parasite isolates expressing different variant types, there is a correlation between the acquisition of antibodies to some combinations of variant antigens but not to others. These results indicate that (1) a single infection will induce the production of antibodies recognizing several variants of surface-expressed antigens, (2) the repertoire of variable antigens expressed by different parasites is overlapping and the degree of overlap differs between isolates, and (3) the expression of at least some variant antigens is genetically linked.

scholarly journals Long-Term historical and Projected Herbivore Population Dynamics in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph O. Ogutu ◽  
Patricia D Moehlman ◽  
Hans-Peter Piepho ◽  
Victor A Runyoro ◽  
Michael B Coughenour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Herbivore Species ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

The Ngorongoro Crater is an intact caldera with an area of approximately 310 km2. Long term records on herbivore populations, vegetation and rainfall made it possible to analyze historic and project future herbivore population dynamics. In 1974 there was a perturbation in that resident Maasai and their livestock were removed from the Crater. Vegetation structure changed in 1967 from predominately short grassland to mid and tall grasses dominating in 1995. Even with a change in grassland structure, total herbivore biomass remained relatively stable from 1963 to 2012, implying that the crater has a stable multi-herbivore community. However, in 1974, Maasai pastoralists were removed from the Ngorongoro Crater and there were significant changes in population trends for some herbivore species. Buffalo, elephant and ostrich numbers increased significantly during 1974-2012. The zebra population was stable from 1963 to 2012 whereas numbers of other eight species declined substantially between 1974 and 2012 relative to their peak numbers during 1974-1976. Numbers of Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, eland, kongoni, waterbuck (wet season only) declined significantly in the Crater in both seasons after 1974. Wildebeest numbers decreased in the Crater between 1974 and 2012 but this decrease was not statistically significant. In addition, some herbivore species were consistently more abundant inside the Crater during the wet than the dry season. This pattern was most evident for the large herbivore species requiring bulk forage, comprising buffalo, eland, and elephant. Analyses of rainfall indicated that there was a persistent annual cycle of 4.83 years. Herbivore population size was correlated with rainfall in both the wet and dry seasons. The relationships established between the time series of historic animal counts in the wet and dry seasons and lagged wet and dry season rainfall series were used to forecast the likely future trajectories of the wet and dry season population size for each species under three alternative climate change scenarios.

scholarly journals Risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women in Burkina Faso: a community-based cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Baptiste Yaro ◽  
Alphonse Ouedraogo ◽  
Amidou Diarra ◽  
Salif Sombié ◽  
Z. Amidou Ouedraogo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Malaria Control ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Malaria In Pregnancy ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Malaria in pregnancy remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying risk factors for malaria in pregnancy could assist in developing interventions to reduce the risk of malaria in Burkina Faso and other countries in the region. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out to measure Plasmodium falciparum infection using microscopy in pregnant women in Saponé Health District, central Burkina Faso. Data were collected on individual, household and environmental variables and their association with P. falciparum infection assessed using multivariable analysis. Results A total of 356 pregnant women were enrolled in the surveys, 174 during the dry season and 182 during the wet season. The mean number of doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp-SP) was 0.4 doses during the first trimester, 1.1 doses at the second and 2.3 doses at the third. Overall prevalence of P. falciparum infection by microscopy was 15.7%; 17.8% in the dry season and 13.7% in the wet season. 88.2% of pregnant women reported sleeping under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) on the previous night. The odds of P. falciparum infection was 65% lower in women who reported using an ITN compared to those that did not use an ITN (Odds ratio, OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.14–0.86, p = 0.02). IPTp-SP was also associated with reduced P. falciparum infection, with each additional dose of IPTp-SP reducing the odds of infection by 44% (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.39–0.79, p = 0.001). Literate women had a 2.54 times higher odds of P. falciparum infection compared to illiterate women (95% CI 1.31–4.91, p = 0.006). Conclusions The prevalence of P. falciparum infection among pregnant women remains high in Burkina Faso, although use of IPTp-SP and ITNs were found to reduce the odds of infection. Despite this, compliance with IPTp-SP remains far from that recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme and World Health Organization. Behaviour change communication should be strengthened to encourage compliance with protective malaria control tools during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Gametocyte clearance in children, from western Kenya, with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria after artemether–lumefantrine or dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Protus Omondi ◽  
Marion Burugu ◽  
Damaris Matoke-Muhia ◽  
Edwin Too ◽  
Eva A. Nambati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Gametocyte Carriage ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Malaria Transmission Season ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Blocking Malaria Transmission

Abstract Background The efficacy and safety of artemether–lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DP) against asexual parasites population has been documented. However, the effect of these anti-malarials on sexual parasites is still less clear. Gametocyte clearance following treatment is essential for malaria control and elimination efforts; therefore, the study sought to determine trends in gametocyte clearance after AL or DP treatment in children from a malaria-endemic site in Kenya. Methods Children aged between 0.5 and 12 years from Busia, western Kenya with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria were assigned randomly to AL or DP treatment. A total of 334 children were enrolled, and dried blood spot samples were collected for up to 6 weeks after treatment during the peak malaria transmission season in 2016 and preserved. Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes were detected by qRT-PCR and gametocyte prevalence, density and mean duration of gametocyte carriage were determined. Results At baseline, all the 334 children had positive asexual parasites by microscopy, 12% (40/334) had detectable gametocyte by microscopy, and 83.7% (253/302) children had gametocytes by RT-qPCR. Gametocyte prevalence by RT-qPCR decreased from 85.1% (126/148) at day 0 to 7.04% (5/71) at day 42 in AL group and from 82.4% (127/154) at day 0 to 14.5% (11/74) at day 42 in DP group. The average duration of gametocyte carriage as estimated by qRT-PCR was slightly shorter in the AL group (4.5 days) than in the DP group (5.1 days) but not significantly different (p = 0.301). Conclusion The study identifies no significant difference between AL and DP in gametocyte clearance. Gametocytes persisted up to 42 days post treatment in minority of individuals in both treatment arms. A gametocytocidal drug, in combination with artemisinin-based combination therapy, will be useful in blocking malaria transmission more efficiently.

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