David M Menge, PhD

Department of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease

Malaria is a major public health problem with approximately 40% of the world?s population living in malaria endemic areas in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is estimated that malaria parasites infect 200 to 300 million and kill more than 1 million people each year, primarily children under the age of five. I am studying genetic epidemiology of highland malaria in east African highlands and the activity and function of the blood brain barrier in cerebral malaria. Knowledge on genetic epidemiology of highland malaria will be useful in targeting treatment and control in epidemic prone regions whereas knowledge on the blood brain barrier activity and function in cerebral malaria will be useful in understanding the mechanisms of cerebral malaria pathogenesis and possible treatment or management of cerebral malaria.

Selected Publications:

Menge DM, Ernst KC, Vulule J, Zimmerman PA, John CC. Comparison of PCR based methods and blood smear in the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in active surveillance for highland malaria in western Kenya. Submitted.

Zhong D, Afrane Y, Githeko A, Yang Z, Cui L, Menge DM, Temu EA, Yan G. Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in western Kenya highlands. Am J Top Med Hyg 2007, 77(6) 1043 - 1050.

Menge DM, Zhong D, Guda T, Gouagna L, Githure J, Beier J, Yan G. Quantitative trait loci controlling refractoriness to Plasmodium falciparum in Anopheles gambiae from a malaria endemic region in western Kenya. Genetics 2006; 173 (1): 235-241.

Menge DM, Guda T, Zhong D, Pai A, Zhou G, Beier JC, Gouagna L, Yan G. Fitness consequences of Anopheles gambiae hybridization. Malaria J 2005; 4: 44.

Other links

http://www.med.umn.edu/peds/global/faculty/home.html
http://www.med.umn.edu/peds/faculty/alpha.html