Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3423786 Trends in Parasitology 2006 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

The complex relationship between transmission and parasite prevalence in humans is an important issue. Using a large dataset matching estimates of malaria transmission and Plasmodium falciparum prevalence in African children, a stimulating study published in Nature provides evidence that heterogeneity in susceptibility crucially determines the prevalence of infection. Moreover, it suggests that children who clear infections are not immune to new infections, irrespective of the amount of transmission. It is important to question the relevance of such results based on mathematical models when discussing host–parasite interactions, especially their implications for public health interventions.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Immunology and Microbiology Parasitology
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