Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte densities frequently result in mosquito infection.

Schneider, P.
Bousema, J.T.
Gouagna, L.C.
Otieno, S.
Vegte-Bolmer, M.G. van de
Omar, S.A.
Sauerwein, R.W.

Publication date

January 2007

Abstract

Item does not contain fulltextSubmicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia (<5,000 gametocytes/mL) is common and may result in mosquito infection. We assessed the relation between gametocyte density and mosquito infection under experimental and field conditions using real-time quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (QT-NASBA) for gametocyte quantification. Serial dilutions of NF54 P. falciparum gametocytes showed a positive association between gametocyte density and the proportion of infected mosquitoes (beta=6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-9.6; P=0.001). Successful infection became unlikely below an estimated density of 250-300 gametocytes/mL. In the field, blood samples of 100 naturally infected children showe...