Surveillance of Plasmodium vivax transmission using serological models in the border areas of China–Myanmar

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Meixue Yao, Lishun Xiao, Xiaodong Sun, Zurui Lin, Xiao Hao, Qiong-qiong Bai, De-Hui Yin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2022
• Subjects: Plasmodium vivax; Surveillance; Serology; Seroconversion; Rate; Transmission intensity; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04096-8; https://doaj.org/article/4efe9921d0ca4ff783b1013b5cf56bb0

Abstract Background To understand the Plasmodium vivax malaria transmission intensity and to assess the effectiveness of prevention and control measures taken along the China–Myanmar border, a catalytic model was used to calculate the seroconversion rate, an important indicator of malaria transmission intensity with high sensitivity, which is particularly useful in areas of low transmission. Methods Five counties in Yunnan Province bordering Myanmar were selected as survey sites, and subjects were obtained in each county by stratified random sampling in 2013–2014. Fingerstick blood was collected from each subject and tested for antibodies to P. vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 1-19 (PvMSP1-19) using indirect ELISA. A catalytic conversion model was used to assess the transmission intensity of P. vivax malaria based on the maximum likelihood of generating a community seroconversion rate. Results A total of 3064 valid blood samples were collected. Antibody levels were positively correlated with age. The seroconversion rate (SCR) values for each village were Luoping (0.0054), Jingqiao (0.0061), Longpen (0.0087), Eluo (0.0079), Banwang (0.0042) and Banbie (0.0046), respectively. Conclusion Overall, the intensity of P. vivax malaria transmission in the border areas of Yunnan Province is low and not entirely consistent across counties. Consecutive serological surveys are needed to provide a sensitive evaluation of transmission dynamics and can help to confirm areas where infection is no longer present.