Heterochromatin protein 1 secures survival and transmission of malaria parasites (Publications)
variant expression of surface antigens allows the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to evade immune recognition during blood stage infection and secure malaria transmission. We demonstrate that heterochromatin [...] have major implications for developing antidisease and transmission-blocking interventions against malaria.
Asymptomatic malaria infections: detectability, transmissibility and public health relevance (Publications)
even in low-endemic areas. In this Opinion article, we describe the detectability of asymptomatic malaria infections and the relevance of submicroscopic infections for parasite transmission to mosquitoes [...] deployment of molecular diagnostic tools is needed to provide adequate insight into the epidemiology of malaria and infection dynamics to aid elimination efforts
Mass mosquito trapping for malaria control in western Kenya: study protocol for a stepped wedge cluster-randomised trial (Publications)
of malaria threaten the efficacy of existing vector control tools used against malaria mosquitoes. The development of odour-baited mosquito traps has led to the possibility of controlling malaria through [...] mass mosquito trapping could be an effective tool for elimination of malaria. If proven to be effective, this novel approach to malaria control would be a valuable addition to the existing strategies of [...] through mass trapping of malaria vectors. Through daily removal trapping against...
The effect of mass mosquito trapping on malaria transmission and disease burden (SolarMal): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial (Publications)
clinical malaria episodes were recorded in intervened clusters and 33 episodes in non-intervened clusters (adjusted effectiveness 40.8% [95% CI -172.8 to 87.1], p=0.5) during the roll-out. Malaria prevalence [...] unexpectedly low clinical incidence of malaria during roll-out led to an imprecise estimate of effectiveness from the clinical incidence data. The substantial effect on malaria prevalence is explained by reduction [...] mosquitoes indoors and outdoors. We assessed the effects of mass...
A crossover study to evaluate the diversion of malaria vectors in a community with incomplete coverage of spatial repellents in the Kilombero Valley,... (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Malaria elimination is unlikely to occur if vector control efforts focus entirely on transmission occurring indoors without addressing vectors that bite outdoors and outside sleeping hours [...] Kilombero, Tanzania. The density of resting and blood-engorged mosquitoes and human blood index (HBI) of malaria vector species per household was measured among 90 households using or not using 0.03 % transfluthrin [...] non-users. The repellent coils did not affect An. funestus densities or...
The relative contribution of climate variability and vector control coverage to changes in malaria parasite prevalence in Zambia 2006-2012 (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Four malaria indicator surveys (MIS) were conducted in Zambia between 2006 and 2012 to evaluate malaria control scale-up. Nationally, coverage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor [...] on malaria parasite prevalence over this period. METHODS: Nationally-representative MISs were conducted in April-June of 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 to collect household-level information on malaria control [...] between IRS and ITN coverage and climate variability and malaria parasite...
Pregnant women and infants as sentinel populations to monitor prevalence of malaria: results of pilot study in Lake Zone of Tanzania (Publications)
screened for malaria infection using a malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) from December 2012 to November 2013, regardless of symptoms. Participants who tested positive were treated for malaria per national [...] BACKGROUND: As malaria control interventions are scaled-up, rational approaches are needed for monitoring impact over time. One proposed approach includes monitoring the prevalence of malaria infection among [...] facility (HF) visits. This pilot explored the feasibility and utility of...