The prevalence and density of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections among children and adults in three communities of western Kenya

• DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03905-w
• Publication Date: 2021-09-17T09:06:09Z
• Authors: Christina Salgado; George Ayodo; Michael D. Macklin; Meetha P. Gould; Srinivas Nallandh...; Eliud O. Odhiambo; Andrew Obala; Wendy Prudhomme O...; Chandy C. John; Tuan M. Tran
• Keywords: Parasitology; Medical microbiology; Plasmodium (life cycle)

Abstract Background Further reductions in malaria incidence as more countries approach elimination require the identification and treatment of asymptomatic individuals who carry mosquito-infective Plasmodium gametocytes that are responsible for furthering transmission. Assessing relationship between total parasitaemia gametocytaemia field surveys can provide insight to whether detection low-density, falciparum infections with sensitive molecular methods adequately detect majority infected potentially capable onward Methods In a cross-sectional survey 1354 healthy children adults three communities western Kenya across gradient transmission (Ajigo, Webuye, Kapsisywa–Kipsamoite), P. were screened by rapid diagnostic tests, blood smear, quantitative PCR dried spots targeting varATS gene genomic DNA. A multiplex reverse-transcriptase assay female male gametocyte genes ( pfs25 , pfs230p ), transcriptional pattern restricted asexual stages piesp2 human GAPDH was also developed determine parasite densities among parasitaemic individuals. Results The prevalence -detectable greatest Ajigo (42%), followed Webuye (10%). Only two detected Kapsisywa. No Kipsamoite. Across all communities, aged 11–15 years account proportion sub-microscopic infections. younger age groups, detectable microscopy, while 68% asymptomatically (> 21 old) had parasitaemia. Piesp2 -derived correlated poorly microscopy-determined patent relative -based detection. general, both increased increasing substantial (41.7%) potential qPCR-estimated below limit microscopic detection, but above qPCR. Conclusions This assessment different intensities revealed evidence sub-patent infectious reservoir carriers . Experimental studies needed definitively low-density such contribute significantly