Epidemiology of malaria in the Papua New Guinean highlands (Publications)
Below 1400 m, malaria was a significant source of febrile illness. At higher altitudes, malaria was only a significant source of febrile illness during epidemic outbreaks, but asymptomatic malaria infections [...] investigation of the epidemiology of malaria in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlands and provide a basis for evidence-based planning and monitoring of intensified malaria control activities. Methods Between [...] and July 2005, 153 household-based, rapid malaria population surveys were...
Mosquito behavior change after distribution of bednets results in decreased protection against malaria exposure (Publications)
efficacy of vector control in reducing malaria transmission. Methods.: In this study, we quantified human exposure to both bites and infective bites of a major malaria vector in Papua New Guinea over the [...] the course of 4 years surrounding nationwide bednet distribution. We also quantified malaria infection prevalence in the human population during the same time period. Results.: We observed a shift in mosquito [...] period and was lowest in the adult population, who may be an important...
Spatial distribution of<em> Falciparum</em> malaria infections in Zanzibar: implications for focal drug administration strategies targeting... (Publications)
Background.: Optimal use of mass/targeted screen-and-treat or mass or focal drug administration as malaria elimination strategies remains unclear. We therefore studied spatial distribution of Plasmodium
Higher complexity of infection and genetic diversity of <em>Plasmodium vivax </em>than <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> across all malaria transmission... (Publications)
New Guinea (PNG) to evaluate transmission dynamics across the country. In 2008-2009, a nationwide malaria indicator survey collected 8,936 samples from all 16 endemic provinces of PNG. Of these, 892 positive
An investment case to prevent the reintroduction of malaria in Sri Lanka (Publications)
in reducing the burden of malaria, recording no locally transmitted malaria cases since November 2012 and zero deaths since 2007. The country was recently certified as malaria free by World Health Organization [...] due to persistent receptivity and vulnerability to malaria transmission. Maintaining the gains will require continued sustainability to the malaria program to maintain the activities aimed at preventing [...] economic cost of the malaria program in 2014 was estimated at U.S. dollars...
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...
Gametocyte carriage in uncomplicated <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> malaria following treatment with artemisinin combination therapy: a systematic... (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Gametocytes are responsible for transmission of malaria from human to mosquito. Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) reduces post-treatment gametocyte carriage, dependent upon host, parasite [...] pharmacodynamic factors. The gametocytocidal properties of antimalarial drugs are important for malaria elimination efforts. An individual patient clinical data meta-analysis was undertaken to identify