Receptivity to malaria: meaning and measurement

Abstract

Abstract“Receptivity” to malaria is a construct developed during the Global Malaria Eradication Programme (GMEP) era. It has been defined in varied ways and no consistent, quantitative definition has emerged over the intervening decades. Despite the lack of consistency in defining this construct, the idea that some areas are more likely to sustain malaria transmission than others has remained important in decision-making in malaria control, planning for malaria elimination and guiding activities during the prevention of re-establishment (POR) period. This manuscript examines current advances in methods of measurement. In the context of a decades long decline in global malaria transmission and an increasing number of countries seeking to eliminate malaria, understanding and measuring malaria receptivity has acquired new relevance.

Applications and advances in acoustic monitoring for infectious disease epidemiology

“…For instance, being able to monitor interfaces between people and fruit bats would provide valuable data with which to parameterise more mechanistic models that integrate bat ecology and human behaviour. For mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, detection of human movement could be used to indicate heightened transmission risk and prioritise vector control in regions nearing elimination [49]. An example of this application for malaria risk monitoring is illustrated in Figure 2.…”

Malaria temporal dynamic clustering for surveillance and intervention planning

“…1 Transmission intensity can be measured directly by entomological parameters (entomological inoculation rate) but require extensive efforts and significant resources. 2,3 In practice, clinical malaria incidence over one year, also called “annual parasite incidence” (API) is often used as a proxy of transmission. Receptivity is a complex concept without a straightforward quantitative measurement.…”

“…Receptivity is a complex concept without a straightforward quantitative measurement. 3 In the context of prevention of reintroduction, it mainly refers to the ability of an ecosystem to enable malaria transmission even if it is not ongoing: presence of competent vectors, suitable climate and susceptible population. 1 Vectorial capacity can provide important insights on receptivity, but due to lack of large scale entomological information, receptivity is often approximated using environmental (meteorological/landscape) data.…”

“…1 Vectorial capacity can provide important insights on receptivity, but due to lack of large scale entomological information, receptivity is often approximated using environmental (meteorological/landscape) data. 1,3 Depending on data availability, stratification can be performed from broad (region, district) to fine (village, health area) geographical scales to fit operational needs.…”

Delftia tsuruhatensis TC1 symbiont suppresses malaria transmission by anopheline mosquitoes

“…Anopheline mosquitoes are obligatory vectors for transmission of Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. Whereas large-scale distribution of long-lasting insecticide bednets and indoor residual spraying have been successfully used to reduce mosquito populations (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8), insecticide resistance is gradually diminishing the effectiveness of these approaches (9). In addition, parasite resistance to leading antimalaria drugs, such as artemisinin-based combination therapy, is compromising the effectiveness of malaria treatment (10,11).…”