Understanding the impact of two malaria threats in sub-Saharan Africa
Official title: Quantifying the dual threat of Plasmodium vivax and Anopheles stephensi in a P. falciparum endemic pre-elimination setting in sub-Saharan Africa
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10897329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how Plasmodium vivax malaria and the Anopheles stephensi mosquito are spreading in northern Kenya, especially in areas where people thought they were safe from malaria, to help improve ways to control the disease in the region.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $177,695 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178576-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals living in Turkana County, Kenya, particularly those who may be at risk for malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside of the study area or those who are not at risk for malaria infection may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the presence and transmission dynamics of Plasmodium vivax malaria and the Anopheles stephensi mosquito in northern Kenya, an area approaching malaria elimination. It aims to quantify the potential risk posed by these factors, particularly in Duffy-negative populations who were previously thought to be immune. The study will involve field data collection and modeling to assess the implications for malaria control strategies in the region. By focusing on Turkana County, where P. vivax has been recently documented, the research seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps about malaria transmission in this context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved malaria control strategies that effectively address both P. vivax and An. stephensi, ultimately reducing malaria cases in affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence regarding the presence of P. vivax in sub-Saharan Africa, this specific approach to quantify its impact alongside An. stephensi is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prudhommeomeara, Wendy — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Prudhommeomeara, Wendy
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.