Concomitant infections of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti on the Kenyan coast

Ephantus J. Muturi, Charles M. Mbogo, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Zipporah W. Ng'ang'a, Ephantus W. Kabiru, Charles Mwandawiro, John C. Beier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus are important vectors of malaria and bancroftian filariasis, which occur as co-endemic infections along the Kenyan Coast. However, little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of concomitant infections of the two diseases in mosquito and human populations in these areas. This study reports the prevalence of concomitant infections of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti in mosquito and human populations in Jilore and Shakahola villages in Malindi, Kenya. Methods: Mosquitoes were sampled inside houses by pyrethrum spray sheet collection (PSC) while blood samples were collected by finger prick technique at the end of entomological survey. Results: A total of 1,979 female Anopheles mosquitoes comprising of 1,919 Anopheles gambiae s.l and 60 An. funestus were collected. Concomitant infections of P. falciparum sporozoites and filarial worms occurred in 1.1% and 1.6% of An. gambiae s.l collected in Jilore and Shakahola villages respectively. Wuchereria-infected mosquitoes had higher sporozoite rates compared to non-infected mosquitoes, but multiple infections appeared to reduce mosquito survivorship making transmission of such infections rare. None of the persons examined in Shakahola (n = 107) had coinfections of the two parasites, whereas in Jilore (n = 94), out of the 4.3% of individuals harbouring both parasites, 1.2% had P. falciparum gametocytes and microfilariae and could potentially infect the mosquito with both parasites simultaneously. Conclusion: Concerted efforts should be made to integrate the control of malaria and bancroftian filariasis in areas where they co-exist.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8
JournalFilaria Journal
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 24 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Concomitant infections of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti on the Kenyan coast'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this