Malaria Epidemiology
Malaria Epidemiology; MVRU has been conducting malaria mass blood and vector surveys in several hot-spot areas along the Thai-Myanmar border. Both cross-sectional and cohort study designs are used to precisely track malaria infections in human and their evolution over time. Mosquito captures are used to understand the seasonal dynamics of mosquito population as well as to identify the major malaria vectors in the study areas. These studies are also conducted in association with questionnaires developed to extract help identify groups of people who are under highest risk of malaria infection and to determine the effectiveness of interventions currently used in the country such as bednets and indoor residual sprays.Understanding the behavioral and demographic factors that underlie asymptomatic malaria infection will help policy makers identify individuals under high risks for proper intervention.
Past Project
TransEpi
Topic of research
Epidemiology and Transmission of Malaria in non-African settings
Outcome
The project examines malaria epidemiology and transmission outside Africa. It provides important pieces of information for malaria elimination. Activities at Mahidol Vivax Research Unit encompassed surveys and cohort studies of human malaria infections including asymptomatic ones, assessment of contribution of malaria patients and asymptomatic carriers to forward transmission, and serological analysis of plasma of Plasmodium-infected individuals in Western Thailand.
Publications:
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
Past
Funded by:
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- National institute of Allergy and infectious diseases
In collaboration with:
- Ivo Mueller, Professor, Walter + Eliza Hall
On-going Project
Discovery & validation of novel P. vivax antigens for identification and monitoring of transmission 'hot spots'
Topic of research
To identify P. vivax proteins to be used as antigens to screen for recent parasite infection, over 1,000 P. vivax proteins, produced by Proteo-Science Center will be screened against human plasma from malaria subjects in Thailand. This will result in development of a novel serological assay to identify P. vivax transmission 'hot-spots' among populations.
Outcome
New surveillance tool to monitor malaria transmission or re-introduction after malaria elimination in the region