Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruth Ayanful-Torgby, Esther Sarpong, Hamza B. Abagna, Dickson Donu, Evans Obboh, Benedicta A. Mensah, Joshua Adjah, Kim C. Williamson, Linda E. Amoah
Summary: Subclinical infections continue to pose a challenge to malaria control efforts, as reservoir populations contribute to ongoing transmission. Data on infection dynamics in specific geographical areas is important for designing and implementing strategic interventions. In a longitudinal cohort study, it was found that the majority of participants were infected multiple times with Plasmodium falciparum, and there was a high prevalence of submicroscopic gametocytes. Immune responses to specific antigens did not correlate with infection status or gametocyte carriage, but antibody levels were inversely related to parasite and gametocyte densities, suggesting partial immunity. Longitudinal analysis revealed the circulation of at least four distinct gametocyte clones over the study period. The findings indicate the need to target ongoing transmission, particularly in children, in malaria control programs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Amanda Fabra-Garcia, Sophia Hailemariam, Roos M. de Jong, Kirsten Janssen, Karina Teelen, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Danton Ivanochko, Anthony Semesi, Brandon McLeod, Martijn W. Vos, Marloes H. C. de Bruijni, Judith M. Bolscher, Marta Szabat, Stefanie Vogt, Lucas Kraft, Sherie Duncan, Moses R. Kamya, Margaret E. Feeney, Prasanna Jagannathan, Bryan Greenhouse, Koen J. Dechering, Robert W. Sauerwein, C. Richter King, Randall S. MacGill, Teun Bousema, Jean-Philippe Julien, Matthijs M. Jore
Summary: Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines aim to induce antibodies that interrupt parasite development in mosquitoes, providing a tool for malaria control. We isolated and characterized 81 human monoclonal antibodies specific to the Pfs48/45 protein, a leading vaccine candidate. Potent antibodies targeting specific domains achieved high transmission-reducing activity. Co-crystal structures identified protective epitopes, providing insight for refined vaccine design.
Article
Immunology
Susheel K. Singh, Jordan Plieskatt, Bishwanath K. Chourasia, Vandana Singh, Karin Lovgren Bengtsson, Jenny M. Reimer, Renate C. van Daalen, Karina Teelen, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Matthijs M. Jore, Michael Theisen
Summary: The modified construct ProC6C successfully improved expression levels, paving the way for further clinical evaluation. A scalable process in the Lactococcus lactis expression system was developed, along with a panel of analytical assays for release and stability. Immunogenicity studies in mice demonstrated that ProC6C can induce functional antibodies that reduce transmission to mosquitoes and invasion of human hepatocytes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kevin O. Ochwedo, Fredrick O. Ariri, Wilfred O. Otambo, Edwin O. Magomere, Isaiah Debrah, Shirley A. Onyango, Pauline W. Orondo, Harrysone E. Atieli, Sidney O. Ogolla, Antony C. A. Otieno, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Andrew K. Githeko, Ming-Chieh Lee, Guiyun Yan, Daibin Zhong, James W. Kazura
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic polymorphism and temporal stability of two transmission-blocking vaccine candidates in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from western Kenya. The results showed that these candidates have low nucleotide diversity, a small number of variants, and high nucleotide conservation index. Continued monitoring of sequence modifications in these domains is necessary when designing vaccines that include Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 antigens.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Susheel K. Singh, Jordan Plieskatt, Bishwanath K. Chourasia, Amanda Fabra-Garcia, Asier Garcia-Senosiain, Vandana Singh, Karin Lovgren Bengtsson, Jenny M. Reimer, Robert Sauerwein, Matthijs M. Jore, Michael Theisen
Summary: This study presents a scalable and reproducible process for manufacturing R0.6C under cGMP, resulting in a sufficient yield for clinical evaluation. Various analytical assays were established to assess the identity, release, and stability of R0.6C, confirming its potential for use as a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine. Preclinical studies demonstrated that R0.6C elicited functional antibodies and showed enhanced response when combined with adjuvant.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Abhai K. Tripathi, Miranda S. Oakley, Nitin Verma, Godfree Mlambo, Hong Zheng, Scott M. Meredith, Edward Essuman, Ankit Puri, Richard A. Skelton, Kazuyo Takeda, Victoria Majam, Isabella A. Quakyi, Emily Locke, Merribeth Morin, Kazutoyo Miura, Carole A. Long, Sanjai Kumar
Summary: The study identified Pf77 and PfMDV-1 as potential P. falciparum TBV antigens due to their ability to reduce oocyst counts in Anopheles mosquito midguts and induce natural antibodies in Ghanaian adults.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Fermin K. Broni, Festus K. Acquah, Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah, Evans K. Obboh, Esther Sarpong, Linda E. Amoah
Summary: The study found that IgG responses against Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in children decreased during the dry season and began to increase by the early rainy season. Older children with active infections generally had lower antibody levels against both antigens. The relative avidities of IgG against both antigens followed the trend of IgG levels until the middle of the dry season, after which they correlated inversely with the antibody levels.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kuang-Ting Ko, Frank Lennartz, David Mekhaiel, Bora Guloglu, Arianna Marini, Danielle J. Deuker, Carole A. Long, Matthijs M. Jore, Kazutoyo Miura, Sumi Biswas, Matthew K. Higgins
Summary: Researchers have determined the structure of the Pfs48/45 protein, a potential candidate for a malaria vaccine, and identified antibodies that can block transmission of the parasite. These findings will help in developing future Pfs48/45-based vaccines.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Alexis Kaushansky, Nana Minkah
Summary: Chora and colleagues have demonstrated that liver infection in severe malaria cases modulates the severity of the experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) model by generating gamma delta (y delta) T cells that produce IL-17. This research challenges the long-standing assumption that liver infection does not influence the severity of malaria.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Mariah Hassert, Sahaana Arumugam, John T. T. Harty
Summary: Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malaria, causing millions of infections and deaths annually. The emergence of drug-resistant parasites highlights the need for more effective vaccines. Studies on whole sporozoite vaccination have identified CD8+ T cells as critical for liver-stage immunity, but more research is needed to design effective vaccines.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Mariette E. van der Watt, Janette Reader, Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
Summary: This article discusses the complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites in humans and Anopheles vectors, emphasizing the unique role of gametocytes in the transmission process and the importance of transmission-blocking antimalarials.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mulebeke Ronald, Wanzira Humphrey, Yeka Adoke, Van Geertruyden Jean-Pierre
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of combining mass drug administration and indoor residual spraying compared to indoor residual spraying alone in a high transmission area in Eastern Uganda.
Article
Immunology
Eizo Takashima, Bernard N. Kanoi, Hikaru Nagaoka, Masayuki Morita, Ifra Hassan, Nirianne M. Q. Palacpac, Thomas G. Egwang, Toshihiro Horii, Jesse Gitaka, Takafumi Tsuboi
Summary: Concerted efforts to fight malaria have led to significant reductions in global malaria cases and mortality. Sustaining these efforts is crucial to prevent a rebound and outbreaks of seasonal malaria. Identifying predictive attributes that define clinical malaria will be essential in developing second-generation tools to combat malaria.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Basil T. Thommen, Armin Passecker, Tamara Buser, Eva Hitz, Till S. Voss, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
Summary: This study found that certain drugs can increase the sexual commitment rates of malaria parasites in vitro. However, this effect is only observed at concentrations that inhibit parasite survival and does not often result in a net increase in gametocyte production. The study also suggests that the gametocytogenesis-promoting effect of drugs is related to general stress responses rather than specific compound activities.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clemente F. Arias, Francisco J. Acosta, Cristina Fernandez-Arias
Summary: The initial stage of malaria infection occurs inside the host's hepatocytes. The parasite traverses multiple hepatocytes before infecting definitive host cells, possibly to trigger an immune response. This discovery challenges current understanding of malaria and suggests new strategies to combat the disease.
Article
Immunology
Manon Alkema, Isaie J. Reuling, Gerdie M. de Jong, Kjerstin Lanke, Luc E. Coffeng, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Quirijn de Mast, Reinout van Crevel, Karen Ivinson, Christian F. Ockenhouse, James S. McCarthy, Robert Sauerwein, Katharine A. Collins, Teun Bousema
Summary: The study found that the method of infection through mosquito bites or induced blood-stage malaria has a significant impact on gametocyte production, despite similar asexual parasite densities. The findings suggest that induced blood-stage malaria may be more conducive to gametocyte production compared to mosquito bites.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Colin J. Sutherland, Ryan C. Henrici, Katerina Artavanis-Tsakonas
Summary: Studies on the susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to artemisinin antimalarial drugs have shown a complex picture of partial resistance related to various genetic loci. Detailed research on specific proteins has led to the proposal of a dual-component model that explains the mechanisms of drug tolerance, suggesting ways to prolong the useful life of current combination therapies.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Roos M. de Jong, Lisette Meerstein-Kessel, Dari F. Da, Sandrine Nsango, Joseph D. Challenger, Marga van de Vegte-bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Elias Duarte, Noam Teyssier, Robert W. Sauerwein, Thomas S. Churcher, Roch K. Dabire, Isabelle Morlais, Emily Locke, Martijn A. Huynen, Teun Bousema, Matthijs M. Jore
Summary: This study investigated the impact of natural genetic diversity on the functional activity of transmission-blocking antibodies. Despite the conserved nature of sexual stage antigens, minor sequence variation can significantly impact the efficacy of transmission-blocking antibodies. The findings support further clinical development of mAb 45.1 and may inform Pfs48/45 vaccine design.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Charles Whittaker, Hannah Slater, Rebecca Nash, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Azra C. Ghani, Lucy C. Okell
Summary: The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that submicroscopic infections predominate in low-transmission settings, with marked geographical variation and the highest proportion in South American surveys and the lowest in west African surveys. The size of the submicroscopic reservoir is influenced by geographical location, historical transmission intensity, demographic structure of the infected population, and the methodology used. In addition, there is a small yet significant influence of seasonality on the prevalence of submicroscopic infection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel Ayo, Bakar Odongo, Joseph Omara, Chiara Andolina, Ole Mulder, Sarah G. Staedke, Teun Bousema
Summary: The article presents five cases of Plasmodium malariae infections from Eastern Uganda, which were initially misdiagnosed as P. falciparum. These findings highlight the importance of considering non-falciparum species in clinical malaria cases. In areas with high P. falciparum transmission, non-falciparum malaria cases may be missed due to commonly used rapid diagnostic tests.
Article
Entomology
Harilanto Felana Andrianjakarivony, David Damiens, Lucie Marquereau, Benjamin Gaudillat, Nausicaa Habchi-Hanriot, Louis-Clement Gouagna
Summary: The potential interference of releasing millions of sterile male Aedes albopictus on the reproduction of female Aedes aegypti has been studied using a marking technique. The results showed that in small experimental cages, the mating rate between sterile male Aedes albopictus and female Aedes aegypti was very low, indicating that in the field, the frequency of heterospecific mating would be very low.
Review
Agronomy
Jane A. S. Bonds, C. Matilda Collins, Louis-Clement Gouagna
Summary: The impact of vector control measures targeting Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus on non-target predators is likely to be negligible or limited.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Franziska Mohring, Donelly A. van Schalkwyk, Ryan C. Henrici, Benjamin Blasco, Didier Leroy, Colin J. Sutherland, Robert W. Moon
Summary: Several unrelated antimalarial compounds targeting PfATP4 have lower efficacy against other malaria parasite species infecting humans. By replacing the ATP4 genes in P. knowlesi with orthologues from different species, researchers found significant differences in susceptibility to ATP4 inhibitors among the parasites. This study highlights the importance of developing antimalarials that can effectively target all human malaria parasite species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronan Brouazin, Iris Claudel, Renaud Lancelot, Guillaume Dupuy, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Marlene Dupraz, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study provides insights into monitoring Aedes populations in La Reunion and suggests using black plastic ovitraps placed in vacoa trees for effective detection. The ovitraps located in the tree canopy showed higher detection and apparent density for Ae. aegypti, while Ae. albopictus showed a preference for blotting paper as the oviposition surface.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adeola Y. Olukosi, Olusola Ajibaye, Omowunmi Omoniwa, Olusola Oresanya, Aina O. Oluwagbemiga, Chinazo Ujuju, Michael Ekholuenetale, Kolawole Maxwell, Colin J. Sutherland, James K. Tibenderana, Khalid B. Beshir
Summary: A rapid surveillance study was conducted in Ebonyi and Osun states in Nigeria to assess the suitability of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) as perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC). The study revealed that both states are suitable for SP-PMC implementation, and it has been implemented in Osun since 2022. Continuous monitoring of the 540E mutation is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of SP chemoprevention in Nigeria.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianyang Liu, Fiona Shilliday, Alexander D. Cook, Mohammad Zeeshan, Declan Brady, Rita Tewari, Colin J. Sutherland, Anthony J. Roberts, Carolyn A. Moores
Summary: In this study, the authors investigated the role of Plasmodium kinesin-8B in microtubule motility and depolymerization. They found that kinesin-8B is essential for the formation of male gametes and parasite transmission. The study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying malaria transmission.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iris Claudel, Ronan Brouazin, Renaud Lancelot, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Marlene Dupraz, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study aimed to identify the best trapping strategy for catching Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The use of CO2 alone was found to increase the detection probability and apparent density of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Traps with BG-Lure-alone or in combination with CO2 did not improve the detection probability. For male Ae. albopictus and female Ae. albopictus, neither CO2 nor BG-Lure had a significant effect on their trapping. The apparent densities of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were similar in both study sites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prisca S. L. Pare, Domonbabele F. D. S. Hien, Koama Bayili, Rakiswende S. Yerbanga, Anna Cohuet, David Carrasco, Edwige Guissou, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Koudraogo B. Yameogo, Abdoulaye Diabate, Rickard Ignell, Roch K. Dabire, Thierry Lefevre, Olivier Gnankine
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effect of plant sugar feeding on the response of Anopheles gambiae to insecticides. The findings suggest that plant diet significantly influenced mosquito's susceptibility to insecticides and the effects may be driven by a direct effect of plant diet on mosquito survival rather than indirect effects through interference with insecticide-resistance mechanisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
H. Juliette T. Unwin, Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Thomas S. Churcher, Azra C. Ghani
Summary: Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) provide protection against malaria through both direct and indirect effects, even in the presence of resistance. Mathematical modelling predicts that LLINs will provide enhanced benefit over untreated nets, even at high levels of resistance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianyang Liu, Fiona Shilliday, Alexander D. Cook, Mohammad Zeeshan, Declan Brady, Rita Tewari, Colin J. Sutherland, Anthony J. Roberts, Carolyn A. Moores
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)