Fulani show decreased susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection versus Mossi: data from a community-wide screening and treatment of asymptomatic carriers in Burkina Faso

Background: The Fulani ethnic group is known to have a lower susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection than the Mossi. Methods: This commentary describes data from a recent cluster-randomized trial of community-wide screening and treatment of asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum in 18 villages in Sapone, Burkina Faso. Results: The Fulani groups had a lower proportion of asymptomatic carriers at any occasion, a lower density of asexual forms and gametocytes of P. falciparum at baseline, and, in children under five years of age, lower rates of symptomatic malaria episodes per person-year than the Mossi. Discussion and conclusion: These data confirm previously reported differences in P. falciparum susceptibility between Fulani and Mossi.