Sensitive and accurate quantification of human malaria parasites using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (Publications)
of parasite density in the human host is essential for understanding the biology and pathology of malaria. Semi-quantitative molecular methods are widely applied, but the need for an external standard curve
Asymptomatic only at first sight: malaria infection among schoolchildren in highland Rwanda (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Plasmodium infection and malaria in school children are increasingly recognized as a relevant public health problem, but data on actual prevalence and health consequences are insufficient. [...] district of Rwanda, 1089 children aged 6-10 years were clinically and anthropometrically examined, malaria parasites were diagnosed by microscopy and PCR, haemoglobin concentrations were measured, and so [...] exception of underweight, these conditions were also increased at submicroscopic...
Malaria vectors and their blood-meal sources in an area of high bed net ownership in the western Kenya highlands (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Blood-meal sources of malaria vectors affect their capacity to transmit the disease. Most efficient malaria vectors prefer human hosts. However, with increasing personal protection measures [...] measures it becomes more difficult for them to find human hosts. Here recent malaria vector blood-meal sources in western Kenya highlands were investigated. METHODS: Adult mosquitoes resting indoors, outdoors [...] domesticated animals and 83.6 % had people sharing houses with livestock at...
Interventions that effectively target <em>Anopheles funestus</em> mosquitoes could significantly improve control of persistent malaria transmission in... (Publications)
Malaria is transmitted by many Anopheles species whose proportionate contributions vary across settings. We re-assessed the roles of Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus, and examined potential [...] potential benefits of species-specific interventions in an area in south-eastern Tanzania, where malaria transmission persists, four years after mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) [...] arabiensis (44.1%). Though An. arabiensis is still the most abundant vector...
The economics of malaria control and elimination: a systematic review (Publications)
cost of malaria control to a health system ranged from $0.11 to $39.06 (median: $2.21) while that for malaria elimination ranged from $0.18 to $27 (median: $3.00). BCRs of investing in malaria control [...] competing health priorities threaten the sustainability of malaria programmes. Elucidating the cost and benefits of continued investments in malaria could encourage sustained political and financial commitments [...] financial cost and return of malaria control, elimination and eradication....
Asymptomatic and sub-microscopic malaria infection in Kayah State, eastern Myanmar (Publications)
be targeted for malaria elimination. METHODS: A mass blood survey was conducted among 485 individuals from six villages in Kayah State, an area of endemic but low transmission malaria in eastern Myanmar [...] BACKGROUND: Myanmar has the heaviest burden of malaria in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Asymptomatic Plasmodium spp. infections are common in this region and may represent an important reservoir of t [...] Myanmar. Malaria infection was screened by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), light...
Mefloquine at the crossroads? Implications for malaria chemoprophylaxis in Europa [Commentary] (Publications)
mefloquine. Some malaria prevention advisors question the scientific basis for the restrictions and suggest that this cost-effective, anti-malarial drug will be displaced as a first-line anti-malaria medication [...] the new recommendations for malaria prophylaxis that have been adapted by Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy where chemoprophylaxis use is restricted to high-risk malaria-endemic areas. [...] Since its introduction to the market in 1985, mefloquine has been used for malaria...
Nouvelles approches pour la prévention de la malaria chez le voyageur (Publications)
Malaria is declining in many tropical countries. This reduction challenges our usual preventive strategies. In moderate to low risk areas, the Swiss guidelines recommend a stand-by emergency treatment [...] making through three clinical studies. The first showed that travelers visiting moderate to low risk malaria areas prefer a standby emergency treatment rather than chemoprophylaxis. The second study investigates