Further studies, particularly cluster randomised trials, can help establish standardised serological protocols to reliably measure transmission across endemic settings

Further studies, particularly cluster randomised trials, can help establish standardised serological protocols to reliably measure transmission across endemic settings. Supplementary information Additional file 1: Supplementary methods and tables. conducted in four study villages. Spatio-temporal variation in transmission was measured with a panel of recombinant antigens on a multiplexed bead-based assay. Village-level antibody levels IL-23A were quantified as under-15 sero-prevalence, sero-conversion rates, and age-adjusted antibody acquisition rates. Antibody levels prior to MDA were assessed for association with persistent malaria contamination after community chemoprophylaxis. Results Seasonal changes in antibodies to Etramp5.Ag1 were observed in children under 15?years in two transmission settingsthe West Coast and Upper River Regions (4.32% and 31.30% prevalence, respectively). At the end of the malaria Dantrolene sodium season, short-lived antibody responses to Etramp5.Ag1, GEXP18, HSP40.Ag1, EBA175 RIII-V, and Rh2.2030 were lower amongst 1C15?year olds in the West Coast compared to the Upper River, reflecting known differences in transmission. Prior to MDA, individuals in the top 50th percentile of antibody levels had two-fold higher odds of clinical malaria during the transmission season, consistent with previous findings from the Malaria Transmission Dynamics Study, where individuals infected before the implementation of?MDA had two-fold higher odds of re-infection post-MDA. Conclusions Serological markers can serve dual functions as indicators of malaria exposure Dantrolene sodium and incidence. By monitoring age-specific sero-prevalence, the magnitude of age-stratified antibody levels, or Dantrolene sodium identifying groups of individuals with above-average antibody responses, these antigens have the potential to complement conventional malaria surveillance tools. Further studies, particularly cluster randomised trials, can help establish standardised serological protocols to reliably measure transmission across endemic settings. (antigens was used to quantify antibody levels with a multiplexed immuno-assay. In our previous analysis in The Gambia, a number of targets in this antigen panel were found to be highly correlated with clinical and asymptomatic contamination Dantrolene sodium at the individual, household, and village level [23], and were also able to measure seasonal and geographical differences in transmission. This study builds on these findings to develop standardised methods for assessing population-level changes in antibody responses as a proxy for malaria transmission. Village serological profiles were used to describe seasonal and geographical variation in antibody responses, and the association between antibody levels prior to MDA and persistent malaria contamination during the transmission season after MDA was also estimated. Methods Data and sampling A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2013 to 2015 in six village pairs across five administrative regions from the West Coast Region (WCR) to the Upper River Region (URR). prevalence as measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ranged from 3.61% in the West Coast Region to 19.6% in the Upper River Region. As previously described by Mwesigwa et Dantrolene sodium al. [19], the study aimed to understand the dynamics of malaria contamination and the impact of annual MDA. All residents aged more than 6?months were enrolled. Monthly surveys were conducted throughout the transmission season (June to December), and in?the dry season (April 2014) before MDA?was implemented. In 2014 and 2015, one round of MDA was conducted, with DHA-PQ administered to individuals aged between 6?months and 75?years, according to weight-based dosing guidelines, over 6 to 14?days between May and June in the six pairs of study villages. Outcomes included incidence of clinical disease, prevalence of contamination measured by PCR, and factors associated with contamination post-MDA. Blood samples were collected by finger prick for haemoglobin measurement, blood smear for malaria diagnosis by microscopy, and molecular and serological analysis by dried blood spot (DBS) on filter paper (Whatman 3 Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA). Clinical malaria cases were identified by passive case detection (PCD) at local health facilities or in villages by study nurses; clinical malaria was defined as history of fever in the previous 24?h or axillary temperature??37.5?C and a positive rapid diagnostic test.