Malaria Transmission in Humans and Mosquitoes at the Area of Sabou, Burkina Faso

A vaccine that interrupts malaria transmission is critical to eradicate the disease, but improved assays are needed to measure the efficacy of vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) work by inducing antibodies in vaccines that inhibit parasite development in the mosquito interrupting transmission. Efficacy of vaccines may be estimated by in vitro membrane feeding assays using immune sera and laboratory mosquitoes, but qualified assays that measure transmission in the field are needed to assess transmission-blocking interventions in natura. Clinical trials of TBV have started elsewhere on the continent in Mali, and we expect to expand TBV studies here in Burkina Faso in the future. This protocol will use a longitudinal cohort to gather information on the rates of blood smear positive individuals by month, season and year at Sabou Health district area, Burkina Faso. Individuals in the villages will be approached first for participation, including permission to contact their household and neighbors of their compound for participation. Households will be identified using census data and individuals will be consented for participation. Malaria smears will be obtained at monthly visits, in conjunction with mosquito collections in/around village residences. Parasite rates in locally caught mosquitoes will be assessed longitudinally for differences by season and year.

A total of 600 volunteers from Sabou area will be enrolled. Participants aged 0.5-65 years will have monthly blood sampling and mosquito collection at their household. Participants will be followed for up to 1 year, to collect data that will guide the design of future community-based trials of TBV.

• HOUSEHOLD INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be included in the study, households must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:

• Household with at least 3 residents eligible for participation.
• Household with at least one compound member who is below 5 years of age whose parents or caretakers are willing to provide informed consent for the child to participate
• Household with at least one compound member aged 5-15 years whose parents or caretakers are willing to provide informed consent for the child to participate
• Household members willing to accommodate mosquito sampling in their compound, both indoors and outdoors.

SUBJECT INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• 0.5 to 65 years of age
• Known resident within the study area and planning to remain for the duration of the study
• Acceptance and signature of the written informed consent and the assent for children aged 12-19 years who are not otherwise emancipated

SUBJECT EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Major congenital defect diagnosed based on medical history and examination
• Behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the subject to understand and cooperate with the study protocol.
• Other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety or rights of a volunteer participating in the trial or would render the subject unable to comply with the protocol.
• Current participation in malaria vaccine trials or participation in such trials in the last 2 years