MaRch - Malaria Research Group

More information on the SEMA ReACT website​

Malaria is one of Peru's most important infectious diseases, but now there is a National Malaria Elimination Plan launched by the government. This plan requires research-based evidence to adapt the strategies 'on the road' to the malaria elimination scenario. Therefore, we aim to continue and deepen our efforts to provide relevant evidence for malaria elimination in Peru by promoting and empowering the partnership of Amazonian public universities and local, regional, and national public health institutions. We seek to potentiate the multidisciplinary health-related research and outreach skills in these institutions for them to later contribute to the good health and well-being of the most affected populations (indigenous and children) by malaria in Peru. We will assess multiple multidisciplinary approaches that could be implemented in the malaria elimination plan and provide educational information about malaria to civil society and the affected population. 

Funding: 

VLIR-UOS (TEAM-project)

Researcher(s):

• Promotor: Christopher Delgado Ratto​
  
• Co-promotor: Jean-Pierre Van geertruyden​
• Co-promotor: Dr. Viviana Pinedo Cancino (Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana)
• Co-promotor: Dr. Stella Chenet Carrasco (Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Amazonas)
• Co-promotor: Dr. Katherine Torres Fajardo (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia)
• PhD students: Susan Paredes & Mitchel Guzman

Abstract

Despite adequate coverage of malaria intervention strategies in rural, remote areas, the elimination efforts vanished after some months, and residual malaria persists. Malaria importation might be playing a significant role in the maintenance of local transmission. From a fundamental perspective, this scenario reflects the metapopulation dynamics theory, where the parasite population's subdivisions are geographically dispersed but with limited interaction between the components. Events of extinction and recolonization give the maintenance of the metapopulation. For instance, after an adequate intervention, the parasite population might be diminished, but people returning to their villages carrying imported parasites may revert the effect. The present study aims to study the contribution of Plasmodium vivax metapopulation in the burden of residual malaria in villages sharing watersheds in the Amazon. We will unravel human mobility's role in the recolonization event by integrating epidemiological and travel data with the parasite population genetics. Our project is the first study to address P. vivax metapopulations as a significant challenge for elimination and seeks to develop a genomics platform that distinguishes among highly related parasites. The expected findings could provide crucial insights about a better design of intervention strategies.

Funding(s)

FWO

Researcher(s)

• Promotor: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre
• Co-promotor: Delgado Ratto Chris​
• PhD student: Safarpour Mahdi​
  

Period

01/01/2022 - 31/12/2025

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health threat despite considerable progress on control in the past decade. We, and others, demonstrated that the burden of malaria in school aged children is substantial with significant consequences later on in life. Recent decreases in the malaria burden puts school-aged children increasingly more at risk for malaria. The mainstay for malaria control includes use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), prompt diagnosis and treatment with an effective antimalarial drug . Malaria control interventions often target vulnerable populations, pregnant women and children under-fives or targets the population at large. Yet, these interventions have a weak coverage in school aged children and no malaria control interventions specifically target in school-aged children. In 2012, we started field work on this theme in DR Congo, a high malaria endemic setting, and proved that Intermittent preventive treatment in school children (IPTsc) is an efficacious and feasible intervention. These findings are confirmed by others and at present, we're conducting similar research in different sociocultural and epidemiological settings in Ethiopia and North East Tanzania. This PhD proposal will provide required additional information to translate evidence gathered in previous research into policy. We will identify models of within-host dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum that have been fitted to parasite density profiles from malaria therapy patients, and simulations of P. falciparum epidemiology fitted to field malariologic datasets from a large ensemble of settings across Africa. We will use this models to assess the relative and absolute contribution of schoolchildren (6-12 yrs) on malaria transmission in different malaria endemic settings taking into account the (effectiveness of) other interventions. We hypothese that school aged children, who represent 26.8% of the population though over 40% of both the malaria reservoir and burden, are a main driver of malaria transmission. Further, will the selected integrated mathematical models be used for predicting the epidemiologic and economic effects of IPTsc both at the individual and population level. The models will provide a unique platform for predicting both the short- and long-term effects of IPTsc on the burden of disease, allowing for the temporal dynamics of effects on immunity and transmission. We'll perform a sensitivity analyses taking into account adherence, school attendance rates, drug resistance rated and thus assess the impact of IPTsc on the malaria burden and transmission at population (i.c. impact on population level R0-rates). It should be mentioned that in the last decades school attendance rates have raised to over 95% in most LMICs (though drop-out rates are still substantial). Finally, the chosen model will obtain robust cost-effectiveness estimates for IPTsc delivery strategies in different eco-epidemiologic settings. We will be able to rank IPTsc amongst other health interventions and stipulate its contributing role to attain several Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs). In parallel, this PhD-program will be involved in 4 case studies in 4 different settings (Ethiopia, Tanzania, DR Congo and Burkina Faso) in which we will assess the possible institutional implementation modalities. This health (and educational) system analysis is a key element. Many evidence based policy recommendations have suboptimal coverage or are, in practice not implemented as it is not clear which department or control program should take up this additional intervention, determine the possible supply channels, reporting, training programs and resources needed. We will also at least explore how an IPTsc could be the nucleus, together with existing helminth control programs, for a comprehensive (institutionalized) school health program (i.e. including immunization activities, oral health, vision screening, health education, etc…).

Researcher(s)

• Promotor: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre
• PhD student: Manda Geoffrey
  

Period

01/10/2021 - 30/09/2025

Abstract

The aim of this research project is the development of new advanced, state-of-the-art methodology for epidemiologists, mathematical modellers and biostatisticians interested in modelling vector-borne infectious disease transmission. More specifically, we focus on the estimation of age- and time-dependent epidemiological malaria parameters, correcting for other attribute data, governing the spread and transmission of malaria. In addition, interest is in the identification of key individuals responsible for sustained malaria transmission in low transmission settings. Based on social network analysis techniques, we aim at gaining insights relevant for the development of malaria elimination strategies. In conclusion, the main objectives in this proposal are (1) the development of novel methodology to integrate mathematical and statistical models to estimate time- and age-varying malaria epidemiological parameters in the presence of unobserved heterogeneity; (2) the development of approaches to deal with doubly interval censored observations in combination with outcome-dependent sampling and heterogeneity; and (3) the study of heterogeneity in household conditions and individual attribute data using social network data. Although special attention is directed to malaria, the methodology developed in this project is more widely applicable in the context of vector-borne infections in both human and animal populations.

Funder(s)

DOCPRO4

Researcher(s)

• Promotor: Abrams Steven
• Co-promotor: Hens Niel
• PhD student: Grosso Alessandro

Period

01/10/2020 - 30/09/2024

Abstract

Malaria burden severely affects the population living in the Peruvian Amazon, which is also affected by low-living conditions. Currently, the Peruvian government has launched the Malaria Elimination program in the Amazon and requires evidence-based research to improve its program. UNAP is the main university in the Peruvian Amazon and is looking to become a key role player on the development of the region by supporting this elimination initiative. The first steps of supporting UNAP becoming more active on research were initiated through a triangular collaboration between UNAP, UPCH and UAntwerp in 2016 (VLIR SI). Here by, we intend to continue and strengthen this collaboration by actively developing educational and research capacities on epidemiology, data analysis and population genetics at UNAP. Constant training through students/professors exchange, courses given by UAntwerp/UPCH professors at UNAP and joint research related to malaria elimination tools encircle the strategy proposed on this VLIR TEAM project.

Funding(s)

VLIR UOS, TEAM programme, 279.994€

Researcher(s)

• Flemish promoter: Jean-Pierre Van geertruyden (University of Antwerp)
• Local promoter: Dr. Dionicia Gamboa Vilela (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru)

Period

01/01/2018 - 31/08/2022

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Funding(s)

FED. INST.

Researcher(s)

Principal investigator: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre

Period

01/04/2013-31/03/2019

Website

www.vlirugandaresearchplatform.com/

Abstract

The present project seeks to fulfil the academic capabilities of UNAP by improving quality of research and education. The project relies in the formation of a triangular structure of academic and educational collaboration between the UNAP (public university, academically weak but with high potential as key player in the development of Amazon population), UPCH (well-stablished university will lead UNAP on the project) and UA (supporting the capacity building). The VLIR Sl project will strengthen the academic and operational capacities on molecular epidemiology through active coaching and training in epidemiology, biostatistics and population genetics. From the start of the project UA will provide support to the Peruvian partners on population genetics analysis for which a computer cluster and the respective training will be provided in Peru.

Funding(s)

VLIR-UOS, South Initiative

Researcher(s)

Principal investigator: Jean-Pierre Van geertruyden and Christopher Delgado Ratto

Partners:

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana

Period

13/03/16 - 31/12/2017

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Funding(s)

VLIR

Researcher(s)

Principal investigator: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre

Period

01/07/2014-30/06/2016