Malaria Molecular Epidemiology: Lessons from the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research Network

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0005
• Publication Date: 2015-08-11T02:00:59Z
• Authors: Ananias A. Escalante; Marcelo U. Ferreira; Joseph M. Vinetz; Sarah K. Volkman; Liwang Cui; Dionicia Gamboa; Donald J. Krogstad; Alyssa E. Barry; Jane M. Carlton; Anna Maria van Eijk; Khageswar Pradhan; Ivo Mueller; Bryan Greenhouse; M. Andreina Pacheco; Andres F. Vallejo; Socrates Herrera; Ingrid Felger
• Keywords: Gene Flow; Gene Flow/genetics; Plasmodium; Genotyping Techniques; https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.03.06; International Cooperation; Plasmodium falciparum; 610; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Malaria, Vivax; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium/genetics; Molecular Epidemiology; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics; Articles; Malaria; 3. Good health; Genetics, Population; Malaria, Vivax/epidemiology/genetics; Malaria/epidemiology/genetics/prevention & control/transmission; Plasmodium vivax/genetics; Plasmodium vivax; Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology/genetics

Molecular epidemiology leverages genetic information to study the risk factors that affect the frequency and distribution of malaria cases. This article describes molecular epidemiologic investigations currently being carried out by the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) network in a variety of malaria-endemic settings. First, we discuss various novel approaches to understand malaria incidence and gametocytemia, focusing on Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Second, we describe and compare different parasite genotyping methods commonly used in malaria epidemiology and population genetics. Finally, we discuss potential applications of molecular epidemiological tools and methods toward malaria control and elimination efforts.