Scientist D,
ICMR-NE RMRC, Dibrugarh
Title of the study: A study of low-density malaria parasite infection in the community and its transmission potential in Udalguri, Kokrajhar Districts of Assam and South Tripura District of Tripura
Summary of the project:
It is important to understand the true asymptomatic malaria infection which includes the submicroscopic very low-density infection and also it is needed that infectivity of this sub-microscopic parasite reservoir. The age group distribution carrying the infective gametocytes and level of submicroscopic infections would help to identify the infection reservoir and help in targeting them for control measures including treatment to achieve malaria elimination.
This project seeks to fill up the research gaps that there is very little or no estimation of sub-microscopic infections, especially the gametocyte burden. More importantly it is not known that whether asymptomatic and sub-microscopic infections have significant role in malaria transmission, hence whether their identification and treatment have any crucial role in achieving malaria elimination. This study, for the first time would try to attempt to bridge these gaps.
Objectives:
1. Detection of Asymptomatic carriers and Sub-microscopic malaria infections with highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in high and low malaria transmission seasons in two states of Northeastern India.
2. Estimation of transmission potential of malaria cases using molecular markers and mosquito-feeding assays.
Secondary Objective:
1.Estimation of malaria transmission in wild-caught mosquitoes by highly sensitive quantative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
2. Relation of anemia with low density malaria infection
We would use mass survey in Tripura and Assam areas to collect blood, note down symptoms and perform quantitative PCR using novel ultrasensitive biomarkers for P. falciparum and P. vivax for the RDT, microscopy and non quantitative PCR negative samples to estimate the burden of asymptomatic and submicroscopic as accurately as possible. We would assess the infectivity of these samples by membrane feeding them to mosquitoes in Tripura. We would also estimate the natural infection in vectors of the areas by using dissection method and highly sensitive marker in RT-PCR.
Following outcomes are expected from the project
1. Develop a better understanding of the prevalence of low density infection of malaria
2.Role of asymptomatic and sub-microscopic malaria in transmission in different geographic regions.
3. Understanding the major contributor to malaria transmission (age group)
4.Whether malaria vectors can be used as indicators for low transmission.
Profile Page: Website | Brief CV
Summary of the project:
It is important to understand the true asymptomatic malaria infection which includes the submicroscopic very low-density infection and also it is needed that infectivity of this sub-microscopic parasite reservoir. The age group distribution carrying the infective gametocytes and level of submicroscopic infections would help to identify the infection reservoir and help in targeting them for control measures including treatment to achieve malaria elimination.
This project seeks to fill up the research gaps that there is very little or no estimation of sub-microscopic infections, especially the gametocyte burden. More importantly it is not known that whether asymptomatic and sub-microscopic infections have significant role in malaria transmission, hence whether their identification and treatment have any crucial role in achieving malaria elimination. This study, for the first time would try to attempt to bridge these gaps.
Objectives:
1. Detection of Asymptomatic carriers and Sub-microscopic malaria infections with highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in high and low malaria transmission seasons in two states of Northeastern India.
2. Estimation of transmission potential of malaria cases using molecular markers and mosquito-feeding assays.
Secondary Objective:
1.Estimation of malaria transmission in wild-caught mosquitoes by highly sensitive quantative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
2. Relation of anemia with low density malaria infection
We would use mass survey in Tripura and Assam areas to collect blood, note down symptoms and perform quantitative PCR using novel ultrasensitive biomarkers for P. falciparum and P. vivax for the RDT, microscopy and non quantitative PCR negative samples to estimate the burden of asymptomatic and submicroscopic as accurately as possible. We would assess the infectivity of these samples by membrane feeding them to mosquitoes in Tripura. We would also estimate the natural infection in vectors of the areas by using dissection method and highly sensitive marker in RT-PCR.
Following outcomes are expected from the project
1. Develop a better understanding of the prevalence of low density infection of malaria
2.Role of asymptomatic and sub-microscopic malaria in transmission in different geographic regions.
3. Understanding the major contributor to malaria transmission (age group)
4.Whether malaria vectors can be used as indicators for low transmission.
Profile Page: Website | Brief CV