Serological measures to assess the efficacy of malaria control programme on Ambae Island, Vanuatu

• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2139-z
• Publication Date: 2017-04-26T02:22:08Z
• Authors: Zulkarnain Md Idris; Chim W. Chan; Mubasher Mohammed; Morris Kalkoa; George Taleo; Klara Junker; Bruno Arcà; Chris Drakeley; Akira Kaneko
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Parasitology; Seroconversion

Seroepidemiology can provide evidence for temporal changes in malaria transmission and is an important tool to evaluate the effectiveness of control interventions. During early 2000s, Vanuatu experienced acute increase incidence due a lapse funding vector control. After distribution subsidised insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) resumed 2003, decreased subsequent years. This study was conducted find serological supporting impact ITN on exposure Anopheles bites parasite prevalence.On Ambae Island, blood samples were collected from 231 282 individuals 2003 2007, respectively. Parasite prevalence determined by microscopy. Antibodies three Plasmodium falciparum (PfSE, PfMSP-119, PfAMA-1) vivax (PvSE, PvMSP-119, PvAMA-1) antigens, as well Anopheles-specific salivary antigen gSG6, detected ELISA. Age-specific seroprevalence analysed using reverse catalytic modelling approach estimate seroconversion rates (SCRs).Parasite rate significantly (P < 0.001) 19.0% 3.2% with shift P. predominance falciparum-P. co-dominance. Significant decreases observed all antigens but only two (except PvAMA-1; P = 0.153), consistent more pronounced decrease prevalence. Seroprevalence gSG6 also 0.001), suggesting that reduced between 2007. Analyses age-specific showed three-fold transmission, less clear.Serological markers pointed ITNs reducing Island The recombinant originally developed indicate Afrotropical An. gambiae may be used Pacific complement traditional measure entomological inoculation (EIR).