Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax in Ethiopia in varying duffy phenotypes

Plasmodium vivax malaria is the most geographically widespread human malaria, and is responsible for tremendous human suffering and reduction in economic productivity. Africans or people with African ancestry are thought to be protected from P. vivax infection because their lack of Duffy antigen expression on the surface of the erythrocytes renders P. vivax parasites unable to invade the erythrocytes. Interestingly, recent studies reported P. vivax infections in Duffy-negative Africans. Therefore, the scientific objective of this F31 application will focus on molecular epidemiology and population genetics of P. vivax malaria in Africa. In Aim 1, the project will use cross-sectional surveys, a longitudinal cohort study, and passive case surveillance to examine the relationship between malaria exposure, Duffy genotypes and malaria burden in vivax endemic Ethiopia. In Aim 2, population genetic and bioinformatic analyses of P. vivax will be conducted from Duffy-negative and Duffy-positive individuals through microsatellite genotyping and amplicon next-generation sequencing. This research will significantly improve the understanding of the mechanisms for the spread and transmission of vivax malaria in Africa, and provide important baseline data to monitor changes over time in vivax malaria prevalence and incidence that result from control measures or environmental changes in understudied African regions of Ethiopia. Through this proposed research and training, the P.I will gain skills in epidemiology, population genetics and bioinformatics, and develop professional and leadership skills necessary to prepare her for a career in global health and infectious disease research. This project is leveraged on the malaria surveillance system, infrastructure, data management established by a NIH supported malaria center grant, to ensure the success of the proposed research and training plan.

Project details

Epidemiology
P. vivax
Vulnerable Populations

Jan 2022 — Dec 2023

$85,938

Ethiopia

Malaria Molecular Surveillance (MMS)