Fellow:
Azizath Moussiliou
Collaborators:
Name |
Country |
Institution
|
Ahouansou Charles |
Benin |
University of Parakou |
Objectives:
• Determine the impact of treatment on the acquisition of anti-malarial antibodies in children before, during and after the intervention
• Determine the impact of treatment on functionality of anti-malarial antibodies in children before, during and after the intervention
• Determine the prevalence of malarial infection in children under five years of age living in northern Benin before, during and after seasonal malaria chemoprevention
Sites:
Children will be enrolled in household
Study Design:
This is a cross-sectional study on children aged 6 to 59 months with/without SMC in two villages in northern Benin. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as repeated blood samples will be collected from 400 children (before, during and after treatment). Samples will be analyzed using a Luminex assay to investigate antibody responses to MSP, AMA1 and PfEMP1. The functional activity of antibodies will be assessed using receptor binding assay. RTPCR will be used to detect the prevalence of malaria at this period and the repertoire of var gene transcripts of parasites infecting children
Subjects:
Children at Cobly and Tchaourou
Outcomes:
The study will determine the impact of SMC on the development of children’s anti-malarial immunity. It will also identify parasite variants capable of infecting children following treatment. The information collected will help in surveillance efforts of SMC.
Linked Grant:
EDCTP Senior Fellowship grant