Infectivity of chronic malaria infections and its consequences for control and elimination

Ricardo Aguas*, Richard J. Maude, M. Gabriela M. Gomes, Lisa J. White, Nicholas J. White, Arjen M. Dondorp

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
10 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Assessing the importance of targeting the chronic Plasmodium falciparum malaria reservoir is pivotal as the world moves toward malaria eradication. Through the lens of a mathematical model, we show how, for a given malaria prevalence, the relative infectivity of chronic individuals determines what intervention tools are predicted be the most effective. Crucially, in a large part of the parameter space where elimination is theoretically possible, it can be achieved solely through improved case management. However, there are a significant number of settings where malaria elimination requires not only good vector control but also a mass drug administration campaign. Quantifying the relative infectiousness of chronic malaria across a range of epidemiological settings would provide essential information for the design of effective malaria elimination strategies. Given the difficulties obtaining this information, we also provide a set of epidemiological metrics that can be used to guide policy in the absence of such data.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)295-302
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume67
Issue number2
Early online date10 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2018

Keywords

  • chronic infections
  • malaria elimination
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • relative infectivity

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