Plasmodium infections and fluctuating asymmetry among children and teenagers from Senegal

Abstract

Although fluctuating asymmetry is a sensitive indicator of stress, its links with health remains controversial, especially in humans. Here, we explored for the first time the association between fluctuating asymmetry and malaria infections in humans, from 107 participants involved in a long term medical survey in Senegal. No clear relationship was detected. Depending on traits considered, associations were not significant, or (marginally) significant but not in the same directions. We discuss the possible reasons for the global weakness of the signals detected in this study.

Keywords: Fluctuating asymmetry; Human; Infection; Malaria; Parasite; Plasmodium.