Featured Publications
Insights into Plasmodium vivax Asymptomatic Malaria Infections and Direct Skin-Feeding Assays to Assess Onward Malaria Transmission in the Amazon.
Moreno M, Torres K, Tong C, García Castillo SS, Carrasco-Escobar G, Guedez G, Torres L, Herrera-Varela M, Guerra L, Guzman-Guzman M, Wong D, Ramirez R, Llanos-Cuentas A, Conn JE, Gamboa D, Vinetz JM. Insights into Plasmodium vivax Asymptomatic Malaria Infections and Direct Skin-Feeding Assays to Assess Onward Malaria Transmission in the Amazon. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 154-161. PMID: 35895359, PMCID: PMC9294676, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDirect skin feeding assaysMalaria infectionP. vivax malaria infectionsAsymptomatic malaria infectionsVivax malaria infectionMosquito feeding assaysDiverse epidemiological settingsCohort studySymptomatic infectionAsymptomatic individualsAsymptomatic infectionSymptomatic participantsParasite carriersPlasmodium vivaxEpidemiological settingsMalaria transmissionPlasmodium gametocytesInfectionMajor mosquito vectorsDisease transmissibilityParasite infectionLongitudinal studyMosquito vectorsInfection intensityInfectivity
2024
Recurrence patterns and evolution of submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax infections in malaria-endemic areas of the Peruvian Amazon
Castillo S, Alvarez C, Rosas-Aguirre Á, Acosta C, Corder R, Gómez J, Guzmán M, Speybroeck N, Llanos-Cuentas A, Castro M, Rosanas-Urgell A, Ferreira M, Vinetz J, Gamboa D, Torres K. Recurrence patterns and evolution of submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax infections in malaria-endemic areas of the Peruvian Amazon. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024, 18: e0012566. PMID: 39480785, PMCID: PMC11527163, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012566.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRisk of P. vivax infectionPlasmodium vivax malaria transmissionFactors associated with recurrenceVivax malaria transmissionPlasmodium vivax infectionMalaria-endemic areasPopulation-based cohort studyFrequency of recurrenceApplication of molecular diagnostic methodsMalaria recurrenceMalaria infectionMalaria transmissionVivax infectionRecurrence rateMolecular diagnostic methodsRecurrence riskConsequences of prolonged exposureFollow-upCohort studyEndemic settingsRecurrenceAsymptomatic infectionAsymptomatic casesInfectionInitial infection
2022
Epidemiological characteristics of P. vivax asymptomatic infections in the Peruvian Amazon
Villasis E, Castillo S, Guzman M, Torres J, Gomez J, Garro K, Cordova AM, Reategui C, Abanto C, Vinetz J, Gamboa D, Torres K. Epidemiological characteristics of P. vivax asymptomatic infections in the Peruvian Amazon. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2022, 12: 901423. PMID: 36118037, PMCID: PMC9471197, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCase-control studyAntimalarial treatmentMalaria symptomsHematological parametersControl individualsCommon malaria symptomsNegative microscopy resultsHistory of comorbiditiesMalaria control measuresClinical immunityMalaria microscopyAsymptomatic infectionMalaria infectionEpidemiological characteristicsChronic infectionMost infectionsMalaria eliminationDay 21Positive qPCR resultsInfected individualsPopulation screeningSYM groupInfectionQPCR resultsLast month
2018
Acceptability of a herd immunity-focused, transmission-blocking malaria vaccine in malaria-endemic communities in the Peruvian Amazon: an exploratory study
White SE, Harvey SA, Meza G, Llanos A, Guzman M, Gamboa D, Vinetz JM. Acceptability of a herd immunity-focused, transmission-blocking malaria vaccine in malaria-endemic communities in the Peruvian Amazon: an exploratory study. Malaria Journal 2018, 17: 179. PMID: 29703192, PMCID: PMC5921293, DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2328-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransmission-blocking malaria vaccineTransmission-blocking vaccinesMalaria vaccineMalaria transmission-blocking vaccineMalaria hypoendemic regionMalaria vaccine strategyProspective cohort studyMalaria-endemic communitiesMalaria-endemic regionsPre-validated questionnaireCohort studyVaccine strategiesMalaria infectionMethodsThe studyVaccineMalaria controlMalaria researchMultiple injectionsOne-thirdIndustrialized worldInjectionAcceptabilityCohortInfectionStudy