Browsing by Author "Gama, Syze Choga"

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    Malaria disease severity and correlation with Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte burden and sex ratio in children treated at health facilities in Blantyre, Malawi
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-01-11) Gama, Syze Choga
    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.