Modeling malaria infection and immunity against variant surface antigens in Principe Island, West Africa.

ABSTRACT: After remarkable success of vector control campaigns worldwide, concerns about loss of immunity against Plasmodium falciparum due to lack of exposure to the parasite are relevant since an increase of severe cases in less immune individuals is expected. We present a mathematical model to investigate the impact of reducing exposure to the parasite on the immune repertoire against P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) variants. The model was parameterized with data from Príncipe Island, West Africa, and applied to simulate two alternative transmission scenarios: one where control measures are continued to eventually drive the system to elimination; and another where the effort is interrupted after 6 years of its initiation and the system returns to the initial transmission pot

SUBMITTER: Bandeiras C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3919732 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature