Understanding hidden malaria infections in India
Center for the Study of Complex Malaria in India
This project looks for hidden malaria infections and better tests to help people living in areas of India where malaria still occurs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project ID | NIH-11397176 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From the patient perspective, researchers will follow communities in three districts of Odisha over several years and also collect information from people who come to district health centers with fevers. Teams will look for infections that standard rapid tests miss, study which mosquitoes and parasite types keep transmission going, and search for new biological markers that could improve detection. The Center combines community-based cohorts, passive clinic surveillance, laboratory analysis, and biomarker discovery while partnering with Indian public health programs. The work also aims to strengthen local research capacity so findings can be applied by health services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living in the malaria-endemic study districts of Odisha, India, especially those with recent fevers or living in areas with ongoing transmission, would be the most likely candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People who live outside the study areas or children under the study's age criteria (e.g., under 21 in this project) would not be eligible and are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more reliable malaria tests, uncover hidden reservoirs of infection, and support targeted control measures that reduce illness in affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous malaria control and surveillance efforts have reduced cases in many areas, but persistent hidden infections and failures of some rapid tests are ongoing problems, and the biomarker discovery elements here are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
London, United Kingdom
- London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine — London, United Kingdom (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wassmer, Sam — London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wassmer, Sam
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.