Microgeographic Epidemiology of Malaria Parasites in an Irrigated Area of Western Kenya by Deep Amplicon Sequencing

To improve food security, investments in irrigated agriculture are anticipated to increase throughout Africa. However, the extent to which environmental changes from water resource development will impact malaria epidemiology remains unclear. This study was designed to compare the sensitivity of molecular markers used in deep amplicon sequencing for evaluating malaria transmission intensities and to assess malaria transmission intensity at various proximities to an irrigation scheme. Compared to amal, csp, and mspl amplicons, cpmp required the smallest sample size to detect differences in infection complexity between transmission risk zones. Transmission intensity was highest within 5 km of the irrigation scheme by polymerase chain reaction positivity rate, infection complexity, and linkage disequilibrium. The irrigated area provided a source of parasite infections for the surrounding 2- to 10-km area. This study highlights the suitability of the cpmp amplicon as a measure for transmission intensities and the impact of irrigation on microgeographic epidemiology of malaria parasites.

Automated summary

Investments in irrigated agriculture are expected to increase in Africa to improve food security, but the impact of environmental changes from water resource development on malaria epidemiology remains unclear. This study compared molecular markers in deep amplicon sequencing for evaluating malaria transmission intensities and found that the cpmp amplicon had the highest sensitivity. Malaria transmission intensity was highest within 5 km of the irrigation scheme, with the irrigated area serving as a source of parasite infections for surrounding areas.