Rare Alleles and Signatures of Selection on the Immunodominant Domains of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in Malaria Parasites From Western Kenya.

Malaria elimination and eradication efforts can be advanced by including transmission-blocking or reducing vaccines (TBVs) alongside existing interventions. Key transmission-blocking vaccine candidates, such as domain one and domain 3, should be genetically stable to avoid developing ineffective vaccines due to antigenic polymorphisms. We evaluated genetic polymorphism and temporal stability of domain one and domain three in parasites from western Kenya.

Signatures of selection and drivers for novel mutation on transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs25 gene in western Kenya.

Background: Leading transmission-blocking vaccine candidates such as Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 25 (Pfs25 gene) may undergo antigenic alterations which may render them ineffective or allele-specific. This study examines the level of genetic diversity, signature of selection and drivers of Pfs25 polymorphisms of parasites population in regions of western Kenya with varying malaria transmission intensities.

Methods: Dry blood spots (DBS) were collected in 2018 and 2019 from febrile outpatients with malaria at health facilities in malaria-endemic areas of Homa Bay, Kisumu (Chulaimbo) and the epidemic-prone highland area of Kisii.

Hyper-prevalence of submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections in a rural area of western Kenya with declining malaria cases.

Background: The gold standard for diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum infection is microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears. The effectiveness of this procedure for infection surveillance and malaria control may be limited by a relatively high parasitaemia detection threshold. Persons with microscopically undetectable infections may go untreated, contributing to ongoing transmission to mosquito vectors.