Scientist C,
ICMR-NIMR, Delhi
Title of the project (LDI): A study of low-density malaria parasite infection in the community and its transmission potential in Bastar and Kanker Districts, Chhattisgarh, India
Summary:
Low density (LD) infections remain a challenge for the malaria control program as it significantly influences transmission dynamics. Despite a wealth of studies on the clinical severity of the disease, LD infections are still poorly understood (Laishram et al., 2012). They pose a threat to the control programme as they act as carriers and may become symptomatic after a certain period. LD infections have been reported from both the high and low transmission areas. These may be related to partial development of immunity, seasonal patterns of malaria transmission, and intake of an inadequate dose of antimalarials during the past episode of the Malaria. Subclinical P.falciparum infections are reported to act as a year-round reservoir for Malaria compared to the seasonal presence of clinical Malaria. There are reports from different parts of India, showing the presence of asymptomatic Malaria. Thus there is an urgent need to determine the community prevalence of low-density malaria parasitemia in an area and study the consequences of it.
The studies are proposed to be carried out at two malaria-endemic districts of Chhattisgarh.
Baseline studies will be conducted to determine the burden of Malaria in the community living in selected villages. The study area is known for malaria endemicity. Surveys carried out by NIMR Field Unit, Raipur in Bilaspur, Kanker, and Surguja districts during 2006-08 revealed about 11.2% asymptomatic P. falciparum positive cases in a survey population of 732.
The outcome of the project will provide valuable information on the problem of low-density parasitemia reservoirs present in the population. Thus, the information will be of immense help for the control programme to formulate an appropriate management strategy.
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