Comparing Feeding Methods for Malaria Transmission Studies
Author Information
Author(s): Diallo Mouctar, Touré Abdoulaye M, Traoré Sekou F, Niaré Oumou, Kassambara Lalla, Konaré Awa, Coulibaly Mamadou, Bagayogo Magaran, Beier John C, Sakai Richard K, Touré Yéya T, Doumbo Ogobara K
Primary Institution: Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Hypothesis
Is membrane feeding as effective as direct feeding for assessing malaria infectivity in mosquitoes?
Conclusion
Membrane feeding is less effective than direct feeding for infecting mosquitoes, but could be a viable alternative for evaluating malaria vaccine transmission-blocking activity.
Supporting Evidence
- Children aged 4–9 years were found to be more infectious than adolescents.
- Direct feeding resulted in a significantly higher percentage of mosquitoes becoming infected compared to membrane feeding.
- Infectivity was about three times higher for direct feeding than for membrane feeding.
Takeaway
This study looked at two ways to feed mosquitoes to see which one makes them more likely to get malaria from people. It found that feeding them directly is much better than using a special membrane.
Methodology
The study compared direct and membrane feeding methods for infectivity using gametocyte carriers in a rural area of Mali.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the ethical concerns of exposing children to malaria through direct feeding.
Limitations
Data from 1996 were not included in the analysis, and the study was limited to a specific geographic area.
Participant Demographics
Children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years from Bancoumana, Mali.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.039
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website