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
Malaria parasites possess a telomere repeat-binding protein that shares ancestry with transcription factor IIIA (Publications)
characteristic MYB-type domain. Here, we identified the telomere repeat-binding protein PfTRZ in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a member of the Alveolate phylum for which TRFs have not been described
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....