Teun Bousema

TL;DR: How control measures that aim to reduce malaria transmission, such as mass drug administration and a transmission-blocking vaccine, might better be deployed are drawn together to show how the application of molecular techniques has led to the identification of submicroscopic gametocyte carriage and to a reassessment of the human infectious reservoir.

TL;DR: It is argued that wider deployment of molecular diagnostic tools is needed to provide adequate insight into the epidemiology of malaria and infection dynamics to aid elimination efforts and the detectability of asymptomatic malaria infections and the relevance of submicroscopic infections for parasite transmission to mosquitoes and for community interventions that aim at reducing transmission.

TL;DR: Interventions using current tools can result in major reductions in P. falciparum malaria transmission and the associated disease burden in Africa, although considerable reductions in prevalence can be achieved with existing tools and realistic coverage levels.

TL;DR: It is shown that submicroscopic parasite carriage is common in adults, in low-endemic settings and in chronic infections, and challenge the idea that individuals with little previous malaria exposure have insufficient immunity to control parasitaemia and suggest a role for molecular screening.

TL;DR: It is argued that targeting malaria “hotspots” is a highly efficient way to reduce malaria transmission at all levels of transmission intensity.