6. Multiple Plasmodium falciparum infections in Tanzanian infants

摘要: Paired blood samples from 99 Tanzanian infants were analysed to examine the infection dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum during first year life. Infecting parasites genotyped by polymerase chain reaction amplification polymorphic gene for merozoite surface protein 2 and subsequent analysis according resulting restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern. The same served as controls in a parallel case-control study which an additional sample was taken each child fever episode. relationship number concurrent infections (multiplicity) with age morbidity results compared those similar on older children between 7 years age, carried out village at time. mean infecting genotypes per positive community surveys low that children, there no significant age-dependency multiplicity within Multiplicity cases also independent age. In infants, positively associated parasite density risk clinical malaria, contrast situation (> years). findings help understanding dynamics, premunition, development semi-immunity malaria.