Development of clinical immunity to malaria in highland areas of low and unstable transmission

Melissa A. Rolfes, Matthew McCarra, Ng'wena G. Magak, Kacey C. Ernst, Arlene E. Dent, Kim A. Lindblade, Chandy C. John

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

In highland areas of unstable, low malaria transmission, the extent to which immunity to uncomplicated malaria develops with age and intermittent parasite exposure has not been well characterized. We conducted active surveillance for clinical malaria during April 2003-March 2005 in two highland areas of western Kenya (Kapsisiywa and Kipsamoite). In both sites, annual malaria incidence was significantly lower in persons ≥ 15 years of age than in persons < 5 years of age (Kapsisiywa: incidence = 382.9 cases/1,000 persons among persons < 1-4 years of age versus 135.1 cases/1,000 persons among persons ≥ 15 years of age; Kipsamoite: incidence = 233.0 cases/1,000 persons in persons < 1-4 years of age versus 43.3 cases/1,000 persons in persons ≥ 15 years of age). In Kapsisiywa, among persons with malaria, parasite density and axillary body temperature were also significantly lower in persons ≥ 15 years of age than in persons < 5 years of age. Even in highland areas of unstable and low malaria transmission, age is associated with development of clinical immunity to malaria.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)806-812
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume87
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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