Abstract

Determinants of the varied profiles of Plasmodium falciparum infections among infants living in Kintampo, Ghana

Botwe AK, Oppong FB, Gyaase S, Owusu-Agyei S, Asghar M, Asante KP, Farnert A, Osier F
Malar J. 2021;20

Permenent descriptor

BACKGROUND: Understanding why some infants tolerate infections, remaining asymptomatic while others succumb to repeated symptomatic malaria is beneficial for studies of naturally acquired immunity and can guide control interventions. This study compared demographic, host and maternal factors associated with being either parasite negative or having asymptomatic infections versus developing symptomatic malaria in the first year of life. METHODS: A birth cohort (n = 1264) was monitored longitudinally over two years for malaria infections in Kintampo, Ghana. Symptomatic and asymptomatic infections were detected actively through monthly home visits, complemented by passive case detection. Light microscopy was used to detect parasitaemia. Based on data from a minimum of eight monthly visits within the first year of life, infants were classified into one of four groups: "parasite negative