Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research Programme: Understanding the superinfection process in Plasmodium falciparum

Superinfection is a characteristic of Plasmodium falciparum malaria that is very common in endemic areas. This leads to multiplicity of infection (MOI) where several different parasite clones co-infect the same host. Little is known on the actual process of acquisition and loss of individual infections. This study aims to understand the superinfection process and its effect on immunity by examining whether theory fits to data by measuring rates of acquisition and loss of clones in children in endemic areas. This will be a retrospective study in a population of children under thirteen years of age living in a mediumtransmission area along the Kenyan coast. It will generate (MOI) data by genotyping of the highly polymorphic merozoite surface protein 2 gene using fluorescent PCR and capillary electrophoresis. The study will also examine changes in infection status of individuals in 3 monthly surveys to determine rates of acquisition and loss of infections. These rates will feed into a model of superinfection which will be tested against MOI by age curves.

Programme: International Masters Fellowship

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