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We studied malaria transmission by comparing parasite populations in humans and mosquito vectors at the household level. Blood samples were collected from all inhabitants for microscopic detection of gametocytes and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The next morning, blood-fed resting mosquitoes were collected inside the bed nets used by the individuals surveyed the previous afternoon. After 8 days of maintenance, mosquitoes were dissected, and midguts and salivary glands were recovered for polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results showed that parasite distribution was the same in the 2 hosts when compared at each household but was different when whole populations were analyzed. Different associations of Plasmodium species seem to occur in humans (Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium malariae) and mosquitoes (P. falciparum/Plasmodium ovale). Regarding P. falciparum infections, a higher proportion of single-genotype infections and less allele diversity are observed in mosquitoes than in humans.
Received May 15, 2002. Accepted for publication September 25, 2002.
Acknowledgments: We are grateful to the population of Antula, Bissau, who agreed to collaborate in this study. We thank the technicians Mário Gomes and João Dinis (Laboratório Nacional de Saúde Pública, Bissau), Marcelino Suna Nabion (Centro de Medicina Tropical, Bissau), and Teresa Casaca and Encarnação Horta (Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Lisboa), for assistance. We thank Henrique Silveira, for critical review of the manuscript.
Financial support: This study was supported by PRAXIS/2/2.2/SAU/ 1415/95, "Prog. de financiamento Plurianual da Unidade de I&D no. 58" (Portugal) and The Swedish Natural Science Research Council (NFR, Sweden). A.P. Arez and J. Pinto were supported by PRAXIS XXI/JNICT, Portugal (BD/5813/95 and BD/15754/98). T.G.T. Jaenson was supported by The Swedish International Cooperation Development Agency (Sida).
Authors addresses: Ana Paula Arez, João Pinto, and Virgílio E. do Rosário, Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 96, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal, Telephone/Fax: +351213622458, E-mail: cmdt{at}ihmt.unl.pt. Katinka Pålsson, Department of Systematic Zoology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36, Sweden, Telephone: 46 (0) 184716449, Fax: +46 (0) 184716457, E-mail: Katinka.Palsson{at}ebc.uu.se. Thomas G.T. Jaenson, Department of Systematic Zoology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36, Sweden, Telephone: +46 (0)184716472, Fax: +46 (0) 184716457, E-mail: Thomas.Jaenson{at}ebc.uu.se. Georges Snounou, Unité de Parasitologie Biomédicale, Institut Pasteur, 25 & 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, Telephone: +330140613735, Fax: +330145688640, E-mail snounou{at}pasteur.fr
Reprint requests: Virgílio E. do Rosário, Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 96, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal, Telephone/Fax: +351213622458, E-mail: cmdt{at}ihmt.unl.pt
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