Serological evidence of discrete spatial clusters of Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
PLoS One
; 6(6): e21711, 2011.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21747921
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Malaria transmission may be considered to be homogenous with well-mixed parasite populations (as in the classic Ross/Macdonald models). Marked fine-scale heterogeneity of transmission has been observed in the field (i.e., over a few kilometres), but there are relatively few data on the degree of mixing. Since the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) is highly polymorphic, the host's serological responses may be used to infer exposure to parasite sub-populations. METHODS ANDFINDINGS:
We measured the antibody responses to 46 individual PfEMP1 domains at four time points among 450 children in Kenya, and identified distinct spatial clusters of antibody responses to individual domains. 35 domains showed strongly significant sero-clusters at pâ=â0.001. Individuals within the high transmission hotspot showed the greatest diversity of anti-PfEMP1 responses. Individuals outside the hotspot had a less diverse range of responses, even if as individuals they were at relatively intense exposure.CONCLUSIONS:
We infer that antigenically distinct sub-populations of parasites exist on a fine spatial scale in a study area of rural Kenya. Further studies should examine antigenic variation over longer periods of time and in different study areas.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Malária
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Infant
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article