Malaria disease severity and correlation with Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte burden and sex ratio in children treated at health facilities in Blantyre, Malawi
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Date
2021-01-11
Authors
Journal Title
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Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study
This is a Retrospective Cohort study which will use previously collected samples from the
paediatrics malaria research ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and Gateway
clinic of Blantyre District Health Office.
The Problem
Malaria continues to be an endemic public health problem in Malawi causing an estimated six
million cases annually. According to the Demographic Health Survey of 2010, it still remains
the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under -five children and pregnant women. Over
95% of the malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum(1). People presenting with the
disease are often diagnosed microscopically for the presence of ring stages (asexual stage) of
the parasite and receive anti- malarial treatment if found positive. The gametocyte (sexual stage)
is responsible for production and transmission of the from human to the mosquito vector.
Despite not being tracked in microscopy diagnosis, the number of gametocytes and ratio of
female to male gametocytes, determines the transmissibility of malaria. Malaria disease severity
is determined by the clinical evidence of vital organ dysfunction and thus understanding the
association of malaria disease severity and gametocyte burden and sex ratio will assist in
determining the children who might take transmissible parasites back to the community even
after taking anti-malaria treatment. This knowledge will help to tackle this vast reservoir of
transmission between the human host and the mosquito vector.
Objectives
To determine the correlation between malaria disease severity and Plasmodium falciparum
gametocyte burden and sex ratio in children treated at health facilities in Blantyre, Malawi.
Methodology
This is a Retrospective cohort study which will use blood samples (Dried Blood Spots) collected in the malaria pathogenesis study at malaria research ward at QECH and Gateway
clinic. Laboratory analysis of these samples will be done using quantitative Polymerase
Chain Reaction (qPCR) technique.The Mann-Whitney test will be used to test if there will be
any statistical significance in the difference of gametocyte sex ratio between the two groups. The
mean, median and the inter-quartile range in each group will be analyzed for gametocyte burden
and they will be compared.
Expected findings and dissemination
This study will look at the correlation between malaria severity and P. falciparum
gametocytes burden and sex ratio in children treated in health facilities in Blantyre. The final
findings will be documented in a report which will be sent to the hospital management,
COMREC as well as policy makers. Oral presentation of the results will be done to the
hospital management, and at the COM research dissemination conference. The results will
also be published in a peer review journal.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE