Fig. 1

Effects of MOI and Hb level (g/dL) on gametocyte carriage. a Estimated probability of gametocyte carriage (± 95% confidence interval) as a function of MOI level. Gametocyte stages are more likely to occur in parasite isolates harbouring high number of P. falciparum genotypes. b MOI levels in gametocyte-negative (0) and –positive (1) patients. Each point represents a blood sample from a P. falciparum-infected patient (n = 676 gametocyte negative patients and 48 gametocyte carriers). Dark blue points indicate samples with low values of MOI while light blue points show samples with high values of MOI. The horizontal bold black line represents the median value of MOI for each of the two group, and the upper and lower boundaries of the box indicate the 75th and 25th percentile, respectively. Note that the 25th percentile of the gametocyte-negative group (0) was equal to its median (i.e., 2). The presence of gametocytes in patient blood was determined by microscopic observation and MOI was defined as the number of different parasite genotypes (based on msp1 and msp2 genotyping) co-existing within a particular infection. c Estimated probability of gametocyte carriage (± 95% confidence interval) as a function of Hb level. Gametocyte stages are more likely to occur in anaemic patients. d Hb levels in gametocyte-negative (0) and –positive (1) patients. Each point represents a blood sample from a P. falciparum-infected patient. There were 3 Hb missing values giving a total of 673 gametocyte-negative patients and 48 gametocyte carriers. The presence of gametocytes in patient blood was determined by microscopic observation and Hb level was measured using Hemocue® 301 +