Nij. Akim et al., Dynamics of P-falciparum gametocytemia in symptomatic patients in an area of intense perennial transmission in Tanzania, AM J TROP M, 63(3-4), 2000, pp. 199-203
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Medical Research General Topics
We investigated the dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia in symp
tomatic patients attending a local dispensary in the Kilombero district, Ta
nzania. Consenting individuals aged one and above, with varying asexual and
sexual parasitemias were treated appropriately and asked to return weekly
for 28 days. Gametocyte prevalence was highest on Day 7 of follow-up in all
age groups (overall 30.5%). Multifactorial analysis showed that young age
(chi (2) = 18.4; P = 0.004), high asexual parasitemia on presentation (chi
(2) = 19.4; P = 0.0007) and gametocyte positivity on presentation (chi (2)
= 29.4; P = 0.001) were all significantly associated with the presence of g
ametocytes on Days 7 and 14 of follow-up. High presentation of asexual para
sitemia alone was positively correlated with higher gametocyte densities on
both days of follow-up (F-4,F-297 = 2.0; P = 0.049). Gametocyte incidence
rates decreased significantly with age (chi (2) = 7.6, P < 0.005). In summa
ry, in this group of chloroquine-treated individuals, gametocyte prevalence
and incidence rates decreased with age, while densities remained relativel
y constant.