Impact of Highland Topography Changes on Exposure to Malaria Vectors and Immunity in Western Kenya

Frontiers in Public Health

Christine Ludwin Wanjala¹ 

关键词: topography;    V-valley;    U-valley;    immunity;    exposure;    rapid diagnostic kit;    highland;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2016.00227

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIt is almost an axiom that in the African highlands (above 1,500 m) transmission of Plasmodium falciparum is limited primarily by low ambient temperature and that small changes in temperature could result in temporary favorable conditions for unstable transmission within populations that have acquired little functional immunity. The pattern of malaria transmission in the highland plateau ecosystems is less distinct due to the flat topography and diffuse hydrology resulting from numerous streams. The non-homogeneous distribution of larval breeding habitats in east African highlands obviously affects Anopheles spatial distribution which, consequently, leads to heterogeneous human exposure to malaria. Another delicate parameter in the fragile transmission risk of malaria in the highlands is the rapid loss of primary forest due to subsistence agriculture. The implication of this change in land cover on malaria transmission is that deforestation can lead to changes in microclimate of both adult and larval habitats hence increase larvae survival, population density, and gametocytes development in adult mosquitoes. Deforestation has been documented to enhancing vectorial capacity of Anopheles gambiae by nearly 100% compared to forested areas.

【 授权许可】

CC BY