Simulating the Impacts of Augmenting Intensive Vector Control with Mass Drug Administration or Test-and-Treat Strategies on the Malaria Infectious Reservoir

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 3;107(5):1028-1035. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0953. Print 2022 Nov 14.

Abstract

Highly effective vector control can reduce malaria burden significantly, but individuals with parasitemia provide a potential reservoir for onward transmission. We performed an empirical, non-parametric simulation based on cohort data from Tororo District, Uganda-an area with historically high but recently reduced malaria transmission-to estimate the effects of mass drug administration (MDA) and test-and-treat on parasite prevalence. We estimate that a single round of MDA would have accelerated declines in parasite prevalence dramatically over 2 years (cumulative parasite prevalence ratio [PPR], 0.34). This decline was mostly during the first year of administration (PPR, 0.23) and waned by 23 months (PPR, 0.74). Test-and-treat using a highly sensitive diagnostic had nearly the same effect as MDA at 1 year (PPR, 0.27) and required many fewer treatments. The impact of test-and-treat using a standard diagnostic was modest (PPR, 0.58 at 1 year). Our analysis suggests that in areas experiencing a dramatic reduction in malaria prevalence, MDA or test-and-treat with a highly sensitive diagnostic may be an effective way of reducing or eliminating the infectious reservoir temporarily. However, for sustained benefits, repeated rounds of the intervention or additional interventions are required.

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Malaria* / diagnosis
  • Malaria* / drug therapy
  • Malaria* / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / epidemiology
  • Mass Drug Administration
  • Parasitemia / diagnosis
  • Parasitemia / drug therapy
  • Parasitemia / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Uganda / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antimalarials