Publications by authors named "Courage Kakaney"
Malaria is spread by the transmission of sexual stage parasites, called gametocytes. However, with Plasmodium falciparum, gametocytes can only be detected in peripheral blood when they are mature and transmissible to a mosquito, which complicates control efforts. Here, we identify the set of genes overexpressed in patient blood samples with high levels of gametocyte-committed ring stage parasites.
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- The study investigates the process of sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum, which is crucial for malaria transmission, focusing on early gametocyte-committed ring (gc-ring) stages in blood samples from malaria patients.
- Analysis of 260 patient samples reveals that 76% contain gc-rings, with significant variations in the ratio of gametocyte to asexual-committed rings (GCR), influenced by factors like parasitemia and fever.
- The findings highlight the correlation between specific genetic expressions and GCR levels, indicating that clinical factors and gene regulation play important roles in the development of malaria transmission stages in live patients.
Background: Malaria still remains a major health issue in Ghana despite the introduction of Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) coupled with other preventative measures such as the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs). The global quest for eradication of malaria has heightened the interest of identifying drugs that target the sexual stage of the parasite, referred to as transmission-blocking drugs. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy and gametocydal effects of some commonly used herbal malaria products in Ghana.
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