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The prevalence of submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage and multiplicity of infection in children, pregnant women and adults in a low malaria transmission area in Southern Ghana.
- Source :
-
Malaria journal [Malar J] 2018 Sep 17; Vol. 17 (1), pp. 331. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Sep 17. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Background: The gametocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum is considered an important target for disrupting malaria transmission. Indications are that various demographic groups, such as children and pregnant women may differ in risk of harbouring gametocytes, which may be crucial for targeted control. In this study, the relationship between the prevalence and multiplicity of P. falciparum, asexual parasite infections and gametocytaemia was assessed in three different demographic groups in an area of southern Ghana with low malaria endemicity. Levels of antibody responses to Pfs230 were also assessed as a proxy for the presence of gametocytes.<br />Methods: The study involved multiple cross-sectional sampling of children (N = 184, aged 2-15 years), male and non-pregnant female adults (N = 154, aged 16-65 years) and pregnant women (N = 125, aged 18-45 years) from Asutsuare in the Shai Osudoku District of Greater Accra Region in Ghana. Asexual parasitaemia was detected by microscopy and PCR, and gametocytaemia was assessed by Pfs25-real time PCR. Multiclonal P. falciparum infections were estimated by msp2 genotyping and an indirect ELISA was used to measure plasma IgG antibodies to Pfs230 antigen.<br />Results: Overall, children and pregnant women had higher prevalence of submicroscopic gametocytes (39.5% and 29.7%, respectively) compared to adults (17.4%). Multiplicity of infection observed amongst children (3.1) and pregnant women (3.9) were found to be significantly higher (P = 0.006) compared with adults (2.7). Risk of gametocyte carriage was higher in individuals infected with P. falciparum having both Pfmsp2 3D7 and FC27 parasite types (OR = 5.92, 95% CI 1.56-22.54, P = 0.009) compared with those infected with only 3D7 or FC27 parasite types. In agreement with the parasite prevalence data, anti-Pfs230 antibody levels were lower in gametocyte positive adults (β = - 0.57, 95% CI - 0.81, - 0.34, P < 0.001) compared to children.<br />Conclusions: These findings suggest that children and pregnant women are particularly important as P. falciparum submicroscopic gametocyte reservoirs and represent important focus groups for control interventions. The number of clones increased in individuals carrying gametocytes compared to those who did not carry gametocytes. The higher anti-gametocyte antibody levels in children suggests recent exposure and may be a marker of gametocyte carriage.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Antibodies, Protozoan blood
Antigens, Protozoan genetics
Antigens, Protozoan immunology
Carrier State parasitology
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Genotype
Ghana epidemiology
Humans
Immunoglobulin G blood
Malaria, Falciparum parasitology
Male
Microscopy
Middle Aged
Parasitemia epidemiology
Parasitemia parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious parasitology
Prevalence
Protozoan Proteins genetics
Protozoan Proteins immunology
Young Adult
Carrier State epidemiology
Malaria, Falciparum epidemiology
Plasmodium falciparum isolation & purification
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1475-2875
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Malaria journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30223841
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-018-2479-y