Ultra-sensitive detection of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> by amplification of multi-copy subtelomeric targets (Publications)
qPCR in community surveillance and for monitoring interventions to better describe malaria epidemiology and inform malaria elimination efforts [...] BACKGROUND: Planning and evaluating malaria control strategies relies on accurate definition of parasite prevalence in the population. A large proportion of asymptomatic parasite infections can only be [...] might still remain undetected when absent in the limited blood volume sampled. CONCLUSIONS: Measured malaria prevalence in communities is...
Lack of associations of alpha(+) - thalassemia with the risk of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> and <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> infection and disease in... (Publications)
unknown. An increase in risk of Plasmodium vivax malaria in early childhood resulting in a cross-species protection against severe P. falciparum malaria has been proposed as a possible mechanism in Melanesian [...] wild-type allele. No significant differences in the incidence of P. falciparum (Pf) or P. vivax (Pv) malaria were observed between alpha(+)-thalassemia homozygote (Pf: Incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.13, CI(95) [...] = 0.008). This study therefore failed to confirm an increased risk of...
Two cases of long‑lasting, sub‑microscopic <em>Plasmodium malariae</em> infections in adults from coastal Tanzania (Publications)
symptoms. The presented data also demonstrate that clinical study sites in malaria endemic regions need to have a strong malaria diagnostic infrastructure, including the ability of capturing sub-microscopic [...] BACKGROUND: Malaria is endemic in Tanzania with majority of clinical cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Additionally, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale spp. are also present and clinical ma [...] P. malariae infections that were identified during a clinical trial evaluating...
Use of antibiotics within the IMCI guidelines in outpatient settings in Papua New Guinean children: an observational and effectiveness study (Publications)
routine outpatient clinics. METHODS: Making use of a passive case detection system established for a malaria prevention trial in outpatient clinics in Papua New Guinea, the appropriateness and effectiveness [...] antibiotics and re-attendances within 14 days for mild pneumonia, mild diarrhoea and uncomplicated malaria whether they were managed with or without antibiotics (proxy of effectiveness). Appropriateness was
Spatial epidemiology of urban health risks in select West African cities (Publications)
epidemiology of diarrhaea and malaria, and their associated risks factors in the following select West African cities. Spatial variability of exposure to diarrhaea and malaria transmission is linked to several
The mode of action of spatial repellents and their impact on vectorial capacity of<em> Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto</em> (Publications)
Malaria vector control relies on toxicity of insecticides used in long lasting insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying. This is despite evidence that sub-lethal insecticides reduce human-vector [...] human-vector contact and malaria transmission. The impact of sub-lethal insecticides on host seeking and blood feeding of mosquitoes was measured. Taxis boxes distinguished between repellency and attraction [...] target product profiles of spatial repellent products that can be used to...
Spatial distribution of the chromosomal forms of <em>anopheles gambiae</em> in Mali (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Maps of the distribution of malaria vectors are useful tools for stratification of malaria risk and for selective vector control strategies. Although the distribution of members of the Anopheles [...] (insecticide resistance management) and may serve as a decision support tool for the basis for future malaria control strategies including genetically manipulated mosquitoes
<em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> merozoite surface protein 2: epitope mapping and fine specificity of human antibody response against non-polymorphic... (Publications)
allelic families of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface proteins 2 are considered promising malaria vaccine candidates. The aim of the current study is to characterize the immune response (epitope [...] (epitope mapping) in naturally exposed individuals and relate immune responses to the risk of clinical malaria. METHODS: To optimize their construction, the fine specificity of human serum antibodies from donors [...] response to individual epitopes within the 3D7 family-specific region...
Innovative tools and OpenHDS for health and demographic surveillance on Rusinga Island, Kenya (Publications)
METHODS: A large trial investigating the effect of odour-baited mosquito traps on malaria vector populations and malaria transmission on Rusinga Island, western Kenya, has deployed an HDSS. By means of [...] DISCUSSION: Adopting innovative technological advancements has enabled the collection of demographic and malaria data quickly and effectively, with minimal margin for errors. Real-time data quality controls integrated
Urban agriculture and <em>Anopheles</em> habitats in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Publications)
than a fifth of all breeding sites of malaria vectors in Dar es Salaam. It is suggested that strategies comprising an integrated malaria control effort in malaria-endemic African cities include participatory