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Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Culture and Mosquito Infection Through Artificial Membrane Feeding
09:23

Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Culture and Mosquito Infection Through Artificial Membrane Feeding

Published on: July 3, 2020

Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage in asymptomatic children in western Kenya

J Teun Bousema1, Louis C Gouagna, Chris J Drakeley

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. t.bousema@ncmls.kun.nl

Malaria Journal
|June 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Asymptomatic children, especially those under five, frequently develop Plasmodium falciparum gametocytaemia, persisting longer in younger individuals. This highlights their significant role in malaria transmission dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Malariology
  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases Epidemiology

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte development studies often overlook asymptomatic carriers, who are prevalent in endemic regions.
  • This research investigates gametocytaemia factors in asymptomatic children, both with and without pyrimethamine-sulphadoxine (SP) treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors influencing gametocyte development and persistence in asymptomatic children.
  • To compare gametocytaemia dynamics in untreated versus SP-treated children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 526 children (6 months-16 years) in western Kenya was monitored weekly for four weeks.
  • Parasite screening and treatment with SP were conducted based on national guidelines for parasitaemia levels.
  • Predictive factors for gametocytaemia were analyzed in children with P. falciparum mono-infection.

Main Results:

  • Gametocyte prevalence was 33.8% in children under five, decreasing with age.
  • Gametocytaemia developed in 18.6% of untreated children and 29.8% of SP-treated children during follow-up.
  • Age, high asexual parasite density, and baseline gametocyte presence predicted gametocytaemia; duration was longest in children under five (9.4 days).

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of asymptomatic children develop gametocytaemia, particularly those under five.
  • Younger children harbor gametocytes for extended periods, suggesting a greater role in the infectious reservoir.
  • The age-dependent duration of gametocytaemia is a novel finding with implications for malaria control strategies.
Abstract

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