Wendy Prudhomme-O'Meara1,2,3, Steve M Taylor4,1,3, Kelsey M Sumner4,1, Judith N Mangeni2, Andrew A Obala5, Elizabeth Freedman1, Lucy Abel6, Steven R Meshnick4, Jessie K Edwards4, Brian W Pence4. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, United States. 2. School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. 3. Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, United States. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States. 5. School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. 6. Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya.
Abstract
Background: Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but their effect on subsequent symptomaticity is incompletely understood. Methods: In a 29-month cohort of 268 people in Western Kenya, we investigated the association between asymptomatic P. falciparum and subsequent symptomatic malaria with frailty Cox models. Results: Compared to being uninfected, asymptomatic infections were associated with an increased 1 month likelihood of symptomatic malaria (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.61, 95% CI: 2.05 to 3.33), and this association was modified by sex, with females (aHR: 3.71, 95% CI: 2.62 to 5.24) at higher risk for symptomaticity than males (aHR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24 to 2.50). This increased symptomatic malaria risk was observed for asymptomatic infections of all densities and in people of all ages. Long-term risk was attenuated but still present in children under age 5 (29-month aHR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.81). Conclusions: In this high-transmission setting, asymptomatic P. falciparum can be quickly followed by symptoms and may be targeted to reduce the incidence of symptomatic illness. Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R21AI126024 to WPO, R01AI146849 to WPO and SMT).
Background: Asymptomatic Plasmodiumfalciparum infections are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but their effect on subsequent symptomaticity is incompletely understood. Methods: In a 29-month cohort of 268 people in Western Kenya, we investigated the association between asymptomatic P. falciparum and subsequent symptomatic malaria with frailty Cox models. Results: Compared to being uninfected, asymptomatic infections were associated with an increased 1 month likelihood of symptomatic malaria (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.61, 95% CI: 2.05 to 3.33), and this association was modified by sex, with females (aHR: 3.71, 95% CI: 2.62 to 5.24) at higher risk for symptomaticity than males (aHR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24 to 2.50). This increased symptomatic malaria risk was observed for asymptomatic infections of all densities and in people of all ages. Long-term risk was attenuated but still present in children under age 5 (29-month aHR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.81). Conclusions: In this high-transmission setting, asymptomatic P. falciparum can be quickly followed by symptoms and may be targeted to reduce the incidence of symptomatic illness. Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R21AI126024 to WPO, R01AI146849 to WPO and SMT).
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