Experimental infections of Anopheles gambiae with Plasmodium falciparum of naturally infected gametocyte carriers in Cameroon: factors influencing the infectivity to mosquitoes

Factors which could influence the success of experimental infections of Anopheles gambiae with Plasmodium falciparum were investigated in Cameroon. 139 experimental infections with different gametocyte carriers were performed. 86 (62%) gave rise to mosquito infection after dissection of at least 20 mosquitoes. Among succeeding infections, the mean percentage of infected mosquitoes was 18.6% and mean oocyst load per positive midgut was 2.56. Only gametocyte density was identified as a factor which determined the success and the level of mosquito infection. No significant influence was found for sex and age of the gametocyte carrier, body-temperature, presence of asexual erythrocyte stages, rhesus factor, blood group and use of antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and amodiaquine).